CLIO – The 53rd Bruce Welge Citizenship Award was presented to John McInnis “Jack” Milligan at Trinity of Clio on May 7.

Milligan is the son of Benjie and Haden Milligan, and the grandson of the late John McInnis III, and Gail McInnis, all of Clio and Mike and Judy Milligan of Laurinburg.

Milligan is a 2023 Marlboro Academy graduate and plans to earn a degree from Clemson University in sports communications or parks, recreation, and tourism management.

Throughout his high school career, he was active in school, church, and community activities.

In sports, he played on the Marlboro Academy Golf team from 2018-2023 and was awarded MVP for all four years. He also played basketball and volunteered to keep the varsity baseball books.

Milligan is a member of Trinity of Clio and served as an acolyte for many years. He also was always willing to help with the church’s missions and projects.

He helped his mother and others at Bennettsville Primary with school festivals and in their rooms.

Milligan was always willing to do his part at Marlboro Academy with their various community activities.

The family stated that when his grandfather was sick this past year, they couldn’t have gotten through without Milligan’s help.

Trinity sponsors the Welge Award annually in honor and memory of Bruce Welge, a classmate of D.G. McIntyre at The Citadel.

Welge would visit the McIntyre family in Clio and Trinity Church. Welge became a Green Beret and was killed in action in Vietnam in 1969 while serving his country.

Welge’s parents from Chester, Illinois started a memorial fund for a deserving area student who exemplifies the attributes of patriotism and good citizenship. This award honors their son’s love of the McIntyre family, Trinity, and Clio.

The guest speaker was Brigadier General Ernest Brockman, Jr. formerly of Camden.

He is a civil engineering graduate of The Citadel and also graduated from both General Staff College and the Army War College.

Military assignments have run the gamut from Platoon Leader/ 577th Engineer Battalion in Vietnam up to Brigade Commander.

Brigadier General Ernest Brockman Jr retired from the service in the US Army in 2005. His last assignment was the Deputy Adjutant General, North Carolina National Guard, Headquarters State Area Command in Raleigh.

He worked with Duke Energy as a system hydro engineer and served as an engineering consultant with Devine Tarbell & Associates Inc.

Brockman is president of the Charleston Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.

Among his military awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Stars, and Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. He also received the State of North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine.