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TO CONGRATULATE DAVID O'NEIL DERRICK OF RICHLAND COUNTY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HIM A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND MUCH HAPPINESS.
Whereas, on December 25, 2020, David O'Neil Derrick of Richland County will awaken to the celebration of a milestone event: his one hundredth birthday; and
Whereas, born the son of Thad and Lilla Derrick, the ninth of ten children, David entered this world on December 25, 1920, in Chapin. He received his education in Chapin schools, worked on his father's farm, and attended High Hill Lutheran Church. As a child, he stored up an unforgettable memory in witnessing the building of the Lake Murray Dam and the creation of Lake Murray; and
Whereas, drafted into the U.S. Army in October 1942, he spent eighteen months at Forts Hood, Swift, and Bowie in Texas for training. As a member of the 612 Tank Destroyer Battalion, he was trained to drive an M-76 tank. On April 7, 1944, he departed from New York for his European tour of duty, and, among other duties, saw action in the Battle of the Bulge on December 16 of the same year. David O'Neil Derrick spent nineteen months in Europe and drove a tank across that continent, including spearheading through Germany. Shipping out for home, he sailed from Marseille, France, to Camp Myles Standish in Massachusetts, ultimately arriving in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and receiving an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army on November 30, 1945. During his time in the military, he obtained the rank of tech sergeant and received three medals for his military service; and
Whereas, following the war, David returned to Columbia and went into business with his brother. He owned and operated Derrick's Gulf Service Station at the corner of Main and Columbia College Drive for forty-three years, serving the Eau Claire and Columbia College communities. He was married to the love of his life, Violet, for seventy-one years and has one daughter, Dianne; and
Whereas, as one of nine known survivors of D-Day living in South Carolina, Tech Sergeant Derrick was honored at the celebration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of that memorable day. The event was held aboard the USS Yorktown in Mt. Pleasant, with hundreds of loyal Americans present to cheer for each veteran; and
Whereas, in his community, David O'Neil Derrick is a member of Ascension Lutheran Church, which he has served as a member of church council numerous times and as president of Lutheran Church Men. He is also past president of the North Columbia Optimist Club and a member of Boyleston Masonic Lodge, and he has worked at the voting polls; and
Whereas, the House considers it a great privilege and pleasure to honor this son of South Carolina at the celebration of his one hundredth birthday, and the members are pleased to join with his family and friends in congratulating him on reaching this important life milestone. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate David O'Neil Derrick of Richland County on the occasion of his one hundredth birthday and wish him a joyous birthday celebration and much happiness.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to David O'Neil Derrick.
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