THE THRIFT SHOP IS BACK OPEN
The Greenville Regional Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop is now open. The move was done quickly and extremely well, and the thrift shop is open again, at it’s new location, in the old Super-Valu building, in Greenville. The new location is twice the size of the old store, and is ready for shoppers. The thrift shop opens today, Friday, at 10:00 AM. According to Alan Gaffner, a Grand Opening is being planned for November.
HIGHLAND MAN KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN
Sergeant 1st Class Gary J. Vasquez, 33, was killed September 29th while conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol in Afghanistan. This was Vasquez's third deployment to Afghanistan. Vasquez died from wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was with the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Vasquez, of Highland, Illinois and a graduate of Highland High School, entered the Army in January 2000 as a cavalry scout. Following advanced individual training, he earned the coveted "Green Beret" in 2004 and was assigned as a Special Forces engineer. His awards and decorations include two Bronze Star Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, two Good Conduct Medals and many other medals, ribbons, and badges. Vasquez is survived by his wife Sarah, of Raeford, North Carolina, and mother Margaret Du Hasek of Highland, a brother Barry and sister Keely.
Funeral arrangements for Sergeant Gary J. Vasquez are pending at the Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland.