AIKEN -- Red, white and blue played major roles in the May 21 atmosphere at the USC Aiken Convocation Center, with the annual Our Community Salutes event offering a round of thanks and encouragement for local teenagers on the verge of joining the military.

This year's featured speaker, addressing 27 inductees along with hundreds of parents, teachers, military veterans and OCS boosters, was Medal of Honor recipient Clint Romesha, an Army veteran who was singled out for heroism in 2009 in Afghanistan, in the wake of a 12-hour clash that became known as the Battle of Kamdesh.

Romesha, a California native now living in North Dakota, shared memories of highs and lows, and offered some encouragement from his years in Army green. "Whether tragedy's going on in your life, or you're having great, celebratory moments, you will have lifelong battle buddies who will be there for you every step of the way," he said.

He also addressed families of the teenagers in the spotlight. "I want you to know, we see each and every one of you. We see your sacrifice ... You live every day, now knowing how one day your child might put that uniform on and never take it off again. That's not something any parent should have to be thinking about doing, but military families do, and you still support them."

Romesha added, "Thank you for your courage, your faith, for letting your sons and daughters become something bigger than any one of us."

The evening's honorees included Aiken High School career specialist Nina Dorman, who received the Colin Powell Award, described as going to "high school counselors in recognition of providing guidance, counseling and mentoring for students as they assess their accomplishments, talents and interests as they move forward in their lives."

Also saluted was Aiken High senior Chalena Gomillion, who is joining the Army. She received the Gary Beikirch Award, named in memory of a Medal of Honor recipient and emphasizing excellence in leadership, selflessness and integrity.

Among the teenagers in the spotlight was Fox Creek High School's Reeves Furness, who was less than 24 hours from taking part in his school's graduation ceremony and is on track to join the Marine Corps, heading for Parris Island in early July. It's a familiar concept, as his older brother, Baylor, a 2024 North Augusta High School graduate, is a Marine currently on duty at Camp LeJeune, in North Carolina.

Furness gave a thumbs-up review to the Wednesday gathering -- "a really great experience," in his words. "The keynote speaker was great. I really liked getting to hear his story about some of the ... camaraderie and brotherhood, and the fact that he did explain how it was meant to be difficult, and part of the challenge is what leads you to have a relationship with those people that you get to know ... and that's something I appreciate."

North Augusta High School had the most teen representatives listed for this year's event -- six overall, with Matthew Porter and Preston McConnell joining the Marines; Mikayla Jones and Jenyah Schoultz signing up with the Navy; and Sean Levi Seawright and Tereasa Kimble joining the National Guard. Williston-Elko High had a single teen on board: Emily Harvey, who is joining the Army.

Seawright, with North Augusta, said the gathering provided a strong motivational boost. Referring to Romesha, he added, "He really made me feel like I should be proud to serve."

Other high schools for the 2025 gathering were Silver Bluff, South Aiken, Strom Thurmond, Midland Valley, Barnwell and Aiken.

Among major sponsors and donors helping with this year's tribute were such organizations as Knights of Columbus, Centerra, Savannah River Mission Completion, Security Federal Bank, Longenecker and Associates, Batelle Savannah River Alliance, Rotary Club of Aiken, USC Aiken, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions and Aiken County Veterans Council.