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Veterans Day

The City of North Charleston will host its annual Veterans Day tribute on Monday, November 11, 2024, 10:00am–12:00pm at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, featuring Colonel Joseph Dawson, Jr. as the keynote speaker.

We ask veterans and the public to join Mayor Reggie Burgess and City Council in this special ceremony.  Each year, more than 500 veterans in attendance are honored.

All veterans in attendance will be recognized and will receive a custom designed commemorative coin.

RSVP no later than Friday, November 1, 2024.

Register Now Online at: northcharlestonrec.eventbrite.com.

The Department of Defense and the Veterans Day National Committee once again selected North Charleston as a Regional Site for Veterans Day 2024. North Charleston is the only site in the State of South Carolina and has received this designation for 14 consecutive years.

2024 KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Colonel Joseph Dawson, Jr.

Joseph Dawson, Jr, was born in 1943 in Charleston, SC, to Joseph & Bessie Dawson, the oldest of 12 children. He attended Buist Elementary, Simenton Middle, Rhett Middle, and Burke High School. Dawson graduated from Bonds-Wilson High School in 1963. Dawson earned an Associate’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Maryland and an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Law from El Paso State. He entered the US Army in February 1964 and served in many leadership positions, including Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Platoon Leader, First Sergeant, and Command Sergeant Major. His stateside assignments include Fort Gordon, GA; Fort Devens, MA; Fort Jackson, SC; Fort Lee, VA; Fort Bragg, NC; and Fort Bliss, TX. In addition, his overseas assignments included 13 months in Korea, 24 months in Vietnam, and 13 years in Germany. Dawson received the following awards and decorations: Combat Infantryman Badge, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal 4th Award, Army Achievement Medal 1st Award, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral 4, Good Conduct Medal 9th Award, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Air Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 7 Service Stars, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 5, Expert Marksmanship Badge M-16 Rifle, Overseas Service Bar -3. In July 1992, Dawson retired from military service in Germany and returned to Charleston, South Carolina.

In September 1992, he wanted to help young people in his community, so he volunteered as a mentor at Norman C. Toole Middle School. In 1993, he worked with over 125 students who greatly improved their schoolwork and community involvement. This was the genesis of the concept that a military-type environment in an academic setting for middle school students would positively impact the school. In 1996, the Charleston County School District Board was petitioned to establish a Public Military Academy at Norman C. Toole Middle School. The Board approved the concept, and the Military Academy was started in June 1997. Dawson was hired as the Commandant and commissioned as a South Carolina State Guard captain. Dawson advanced to the rank of Colonel. He retired from the Military Magnet Academy and the South Carolina State Guard in June 2013.

Colonel Dawson now serves on The Military Magnet Academy’s Military Advisory Board, President of the Military Magnet’s Foundation Board, and the School Improvement Council. He is an advisor to the Interact Club (20 – 30 cadets) and a member of the Rotary Club of North Charleston Breakfast. Dawson has been instrumental in raising funds for the Military Magnet Academy, which helps provide uniforms for many families that cannot afford to purchase them. He has also spearheaded a program to provide parents with training in the Hospitality industry, helping them to earn certificates and find jobs. In 2022, Dawson was awarded the Order of the Palmetto for his outstanding community service. Dawson is also a lifetime member of the NCO Association and the VFW.

Colonel Dawson was married (for 52 years) to the late Rev. Dr. P. Dawson. They have five children: Captain Dennetta Dawson, South Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division; the Honorable Joseph Dawson, ill, U.S. District Judge, District of South Carolina; Pastor Dr. Dawnay Dawson, Chef Carlisse Dawson, and Carlton Dawson. Dawson enjoys ministering to God’s people and mentoring young people.

From past Veterans Day events