2/21/08
ROTC shares the love at Windsor Manor for Valentine’s Day
By Jerriod Grizzle

JERRIOD GRIZZLE/Manning Times

ROTC Cadet Cpl. Amber Harlow talks with Windsor Manor resident Melvin Young during the facility’s Sweetheart Celebration Feb. 15.

Men dressed in pin-striped suites and women dressed in various hues of red, pink and white celebrated their Valentine’s Day a little bit differently this year, as the Windsor Manor Nursing Home in Silver held their first Sweetheart Celebration on Feb. 15 with the help of the Lake Marion High School’s Jr. ROTC.

Members of the Jr. ROTC marched in single file to escort, dance and talk with the residents during their celebration and lighten their spirits during the party.

“We have had several programs like Christmas parties and the ROTC wanted to come and help celebrate by being their escorts for the night,” said Activities Coordinator Janette Conyers.

Conyers laughingly mentioned that there wouldn’t be any broken hips but that there might be some break dancing by the residents.

“They have talked about it all day and the next day they may tell their family about it,” she said.

ROTC teacher and commander Sergeant Major Howard Brown said he and his cadets were happy to do the community service that made the celebration a hit.

JERRIOD GRIZZLE/Manning Times

ROTC Cadets Sgt. Shakeleia Davis and Raven Gailliard visit with Windsor Manner resident Ernest Robinson during the Manor’s Sweetheart Celebration, Feb. 15.

“When Ms. Conyers mentioned it, I talked to the cadets and they were very excited to do it,” he said.

Brown said that the Jr. ROTC members visit the nursing home often to help the residents celebrate different holidays.

“It is a way of letting the residents go on a mini-date,” he said. “We didn’t have to coax the cadets at all because of their willingness.”

Cadet Jana Phelzer, a sergeant with the ROTC echoed Brown’s comments.

“It is really fun for us. We have to do something for the community and it is a way of helping them and sort of waking them up and making them just a little bit happier,” she said.

Music out of the 50s and 60s such as “I heard It Through the Grapevine” and “Rock Around The Clock,” was set at a medium volume as many residents like Ernest Robinson, a 62-year-old resident and former Summerton Police Officer took advantage of his night out to dance with several female members of the ROTC.

“I’m going to dance, I’m still moving and all in all it’s a good thing,” he said.

Other residents such as Anna Belle Wright and Mary Miller who are wheelchair bound said that while they couldn’t dance they still enjoyed the company on Valentine’s Day.

“I don’t dance but I am so thankful they came out,” said Miller.

Wright said she was looking forward to her night that gave her someone to talk to.

“I’m still upbeat and I know I am going to enjoy it,” she said.

Resident James Felder said that though he is old, it was a way for him to celebrate a Valentine’s Day with someone.

“I love it, I love the girls and though I am old, it’s a good time to be had,” he said.

The comments that Felder gave seemed to ring true as residents faces gleamed brighter and brighter as the night went on and residents had the chance to share their past experiences of Valentine’s Day.

As the night ended and residents were taken back to their rooms, the joy was evident on their faces.

According to one nurse, Robinson was still dancing the next day.