Friends and Family remembered retired Col. Angelo Perri during a memorial service held Jan. 14 at the Shives Funeral Home. The ceremony was attended by his surviving Family members, friends, colleagues and his wife of 46 years, Libby Perri.
Col. Perri a prominent figure at Fort Jackson, passed away at the age of 90. He was best known for his service on the installation as a training battalion commander, brigade executive officer, Deputy Director of Personnel, Deputy Chief of Staff, Chief of Staff upon his promotion to the rank of Colonel and a Fort Jackson Hall of Fame inductee.
Col. Perri was also known for his volunteer work throughout Columbia, South Carolina. His volunteer efforts helped increase tax exclusions for military retirees and secured a National Cemetery for the Midlands that is now the final resting place for some 8,ooo service members and family members. He has also served as a board member for several military associations.
"The Perri side of the Family is big and loud, as my husband will attest," said Lynne Perri, daughter of Col. Perri. "So we are grateful that my father's marriage to Libby has also been filled with lots of people coming and going and sometimes talking over each other, as well as love and laughter."
During the memorial ceremony, Col. Perri's children and friends closet to him recounted fond memories and the impact he had on their lives.
"Angie was tough, but fair. For those that knew and worked with him probably knew that already," said Stephen Miles Cone, Col. Perri's stepson. "The times that I would awaken on a Saturday morning with a handwritten list of chores to be done that day and you can bet there would always be an inspection. I was also the proud recipient of my very own broom, rake and lawn mower personalized with my name written on them. These experiences instilled a sense of duty, responsibility, dedication and doing the best job possible."
After the memorial ceremony concluded, Col. Perri was interred at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery with full military honors. A 21-gun salute rang out across the headstones and rain, provided by members of the South Carolina National Guard, as Spc. Matthew Rhodes of the Fort Jackson 282nd Army Band played "Taps" with his bugle.
"These hallowed stones tell the story of our beloved nation one name at a time," said retired Chaplain (Col.) Sam Boone, a close family friend. "The stories of men and women who answered the call to defend our nation, our constitution and our way of life here at home and around the world. Col. Angelo Perri has earned his place among the other heroes interred on these grounds."
With a final salute from Boone, the flag covering Col. Peeri's coffin was folded with deliberate and precise movements. The folded flag was then presented to Clelia Elizabeth "Libby" Perri by Staff Sgt. Brenda Paris, U.S. Army Medical Command, South Carolina National guard, with a message of thanks on behalf of a grateful nation.
Col. Perri now rests in the field close to the pavilion where his Family bid their final farewells, with a backdrop of tall pines trees and the cemetery's main flag.
"Col. Angelo Perri, you are dismissed to join your final formation ... may you rest in peace," Boone said as he raised his hand slowly in a final salute to his friend.
"Angie was tough, but fair. For those that knew and worked with him probably knew that already," said Stephen Miles Cone, Col. Perri's stepson. "The times that I would awaken on a Saturday morning with a handwritten list of chores to be done that day and you can bet there would always be an inspection. I was also the proud recipient of my very own broom, rake and lawn mower personalized with my name written on them. These experiences instilled a sense of duty, responsibility, dedication and doing the best job possible."
After the memorial ceremony concluded, Col. Perri was interred at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery with full military honors. A 21-gun salute rang out across the headstones and rain, provided by members of the South Carolina National Guard, as Spc. Matthew Rhodes of the Fort Jackson 282nd Army Band played "Taps" with his bugle.
"These hallowed stones tell the story of our beloved nation one name at a time," said retired Chaplain (Col.) Sam Boone, a close family friend. "The stories of men and women who answered the call to defend our nation, our constitution and our way of life here at home and around the world. Col. Angelo Perri has earned his place among the other heroes interred on these grounds."
With a final salute from Boone, the flag covering Col. Peeri's coffin was folded with deliberate and precise movements. The folded flag was then presented to Clelia Elizabeth "Libby" Perri by Staff Sgt. Brenda Paris, U.S. Army Medical Command, South Carolina National guard, with a message of thanks on behalf of a grateful nation.
Col. Perri now rests in the field close to the pavilion where his Family bid their final farewells, with a backdrop of tall pines trees and the cemetery's main flag.
"Col. Angelo Perri, you are dismissed to join your final formation ... may you rest in peace," Boone said as he raised his hand slowly in a final salute to his friend.
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