American Legion McNair Post 270 Honors Its Founding Veterans
At an April 18 ceremony, Woodruff's Ronald E. McNair Post 270 honored the veterans who founded it in the early 1980s.
The Woodruff Times reported on May 2, 2026 on the history of the American Legion Ronald E. McNair Post 270 in Woodruff and its Founding Members' Award Ceremony on April 18. Here is our summary.
Veterans led by the late Willie James (W.J.) Gist and his friend the late David O. Hawkins founded the Post in the early 1980s. It is named for Ronald E. McNair, the physicist and astronaut from Lake City, S.C., who died in the Challenger launch on January 28, 1986. At the time, African Americans in Woodruff had few welcoming places to gather, and the Post became a hub for events, celebrations and fellowship.
At the ceremony, Commander James A. Bates recognized four living charter members: Ivy Durrah (Navy, 1955-1958), Jay Browning (Marines, 1969-1970), Douglas Jones (Army, 1966-1968) and William Foster (Army, 1964-1966). Ivy Durrah and William Foster were there to receive their plaques. Vice Commander Tonya Johnson led the program, Bruce Westfield gave the prayers, and Adjutant Dianna Floyd gave the Post's history. Past commanders, the late Raleigh Blackman and Edward Pearson, were also remembered.
This is our own summary; the full story, by editor Vareva Harris, is at The Woodruff Times (link below).