Retired Gen. Ed Y. Hall of the S.C. State Guard (right) presents Lt. Col. Wayne Powell with the Order of the Palmetto on Tuesday at the Shrine Club in Gaffney. Wayne Powell received the Order of the Palmetto, the state's highest civilian honor awarded by the governor, Tuesday during the Cherokee County Republican Party's annual meeting.

"Wayne is a very compassionate person and a very low-key person," said Joan Wheeler, former county GOP chairperson. "He doesn't call attention to himself. He's very active in his church and we just felt he needed some recognition for all the things he's done."

The list of his accomplishments is a long one.

In addition to his active service to the Republican Party for many years, he also served in the National Guard. Upon retiring from there, he served in the S.C. State Guard. He is a Vietnam War veteran.

Wheeler said Powell was disabled while serving in the National Guard. He contracted lime disease from a tick bite and now has severe rheumatoid arthritis as a result.

Despite the disabling condition, he continues to serve his state and community.

He's a former commissioner on Consumer Affairs board member and past director of PeachCenter Ministries. He serves on the board for the S.C. Hunters and Landowners for the Hungry, the Veteran's Affairs board and the Veteran's Park board. He has also taken veterans to various hospitals for medical treatments.

Called "an ambassador of many causes" in a letter from Gov. Mark Sanford, Powell helped organize the State Guard when they responded to New York following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

"South Carolina is blessed by your committed and faithful service," the letter read.

Powell is married and has one child and one grandchild.

Blacksburg's Beverly Camp received a community service award from the Cherokee County Republican Women's Organization. She has served the Town of Blacksburg for 14 years as chairperson of the election commission and was co-chair of the beautification committee prior to that. This year marks the 13th year the group has given the award. Bob Parris was the first recipient of the Republican Women's community service award.

S.C. Secretary of State Mark Hammond was the guest speaker at Tuesday's event, held at the Shrine Club in Gaffney.