Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum sponsored the University of South Carolina and Clemson University football games on Saturday, Nov. 22.
Hundreds of fans stopped by the museum’s booths to learn more about new exhibits and upcoming commemorative events. The most popular topic was the Vietnam Experience Exhibit which opened on Veterans Day weekend.
Patriots Point Executive Director and retired Army Colonel Mac Burdette represented Patriots Point on the field during the Clemson Tigers’ game. Col. Burdette graduated from Clemson in 1972. He is a veteran of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.
Two USS YORKTOWN veterans accompanied Col. Burdette on the field, Capt. Williams Dukes, Sr., and Commander Bob Fant. Capt. Dukes served in the United States Navy for 34 years and fought in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Commander Fant is a retired Navy pilot who was shot down while flying over North Vietnam and held as a prisoner of war for more than four years.
During the University of South Carolina football game, Wayne Adams, the Vice Chairman of the Patriots Point Development Authority’s Board of Directors represented the museum. Mr. Adams is the founder and CEO of The Adams Group, a strategic marketing firm headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina.
South Carolina Senator John Courson and Representative James Smith, Jr. were both given game balls. Sen. Courson served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. Rep. Smith served in the Army Reserves and the S.C. Army National Guard. Both men are graduates of USC.
