From staff reports
Beaufortonian and USMC Master Sergeant (Ret.) James T. Handrinos has been named 2022 Beaufort County Veterans Day Parade Grand Marshall.
Born in Bridgeport, Conn., Handrinos joined the Marines and attended boot camp on Parris Island in June 1954. His station assignments included Camp Lejeune, Okinawa, Japan, Marine Barracks, Phil Navy Yard, SMS Cherry Point, N.C. and Montford Point Supply Co. He became a Drill Instructor on Parris Island and served a tour of duty in Vietnam.
In 1960, he was on the USS Graham County LST 1176 as part of an operation that evacuated United Nations troops from the Congo and was also attached to the 2nd Battalion 6th Marines during the Cuban Blockade in 1962.
Upon his return, he had Inspector and Instructor duty in Youngstown, Ohio as well as several years stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.
He retired in August 1974.
He owned his own business for several years and then became Director of Housekeeping at Beaufort Memorial Hospital until his retirement in 1995.
Handrinos and his wife Marlene, who have been married 48 years, will be riding in a gold colored Volvo convertible at the head of the parade to kick off the festivities.
Special honored guest Alford Taylor, S.C. Department of Veterans Affairs Senior Director of Operations, will attend representing VA Secretary Will Grimsley.
The 2022 Beaufort County Veterans Day Parade will be held Friday, Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. It will begin and end at Beaufort National Cemetery. In case of inclement weather the parade will be canceled.
Every community group, children’s group, civic organization, and community member is encouraged to show their community spirit and our veterans how much they are appreciated.
Visit www.beaufortcountysc.gov/veterans-affairs to download the application.
The deadline to submit parade applications is Sunday, October 31.
Before Veterans Day but also in honor of our veterans, plan on stopping by the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit Sunday, Nov. 6 from noon to 5:30 p.m. The exhibit will be at the Beaufort County Administration Building – Robert Smalls Complex, 100 Ribaut Road, Beaufort.
