Fort Jackson G staff spreads Christmas cheer

Chief of Staff Col. Morris Goins and his staff put the "G" in "Jingle Bells" at the Dorn Veterans Affairs on Thursday.

Bearing games and candy, and accompanied by a brass quintet from the 282nd Army Band, those who labor daily alongside Goins at Fort Jackson headquarters instead spent the morning singing carols and chatting up veterans.

"This is awesome," gushed Staff Sgt. Angel Bailey of G1. "Just interacting, … seeing those who went before us (into the Services) being taken care of and being respected."

Bailey spent a great deal of time talking to veteran Albertha Sumter, who enjoyed the music so much that he conducted much of it from his wheelchair. Later, he and Bailey leaned in close for conversation, Bailey's eyes wide with attention.

Veterans representing World War II, Korea and Vietnam were among the group serenaded. Many were in wheelchairs or using walkers; some were missing limbs.

Many tapped along to the music; others sang softly as the animated quintet played Christmas favorites: "The First Noel," "Silent Night" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."

Goins thanked the audience for its collective "years of service (and) your prayers for us." He spent much of the time hunkered at eye level, trading barbs with Navy vet Terry Littlejohn, who at one point "forced" Goins to interrupt the music to spout, "Go Navy! Beat Army!"

After the concert, Goins and crew delivered the veterans in wheelchairs back to their rooms, then stayed to chat awhile.

"It was a great idea, man," Goins said of the trip, organized by Billy Smith of G8. "The only thing is, we've got to sustain this."

By the time Goins and the Gs had left, plans were afoot for regular visits -- "just to get out of the office" every once in a while, Goins said.

And to administer respect.