Gaffney native earns right to join elite Navy guard unit

RENN GORDON Being the best is what every person strives to be, reaching the peak of their potential and taking full advantage of their God-given abilities.

For many of these particular things, the best starting point for success is college. But one particular

Gaffney native decided to go in a different direction.

"My grandson came to me with an unhappy look on his face and I could tell he was not happy down at the College of Charleston," Ronnie Gordon said. "I just didn't expect him to ask me, 'which branch of the military should I choose?'"

Renn Gordon, a former Gaffney High student, listened to his grandfather by enlisting in the U.S. Navy and is now among its Ceremonial Guard.

The guard is known as the face of the U.S. Navy, striving to perfection whether it be at a field show or at a funeral. To attain that status, one must go through an intense six-week training period soon after completing basic training.

"We're talking about junior people who represent the entire Navy when they are out there," Senior Chief Machinist's Mate Gerald Konkol said in an article published by the Navy News Service. "When (trainees) are in the six-week training phase, we must teach them to be sharp-looking, disciplined guardsmen."

The son of Richard Gordon of Gaffney and Amy Hulsey of Florence, Renn Gordon was forced to split time between the Upstate and Pee Dee regions of the state. However, he always made his way back to Cherokee County.

"He loves his Gaffney roots," Gordon said. "Although he spent a lot of time in Florence he seems to always claim this city as his home town."

Such adaptability to difficult situations helped Gordon throughout his training process, as he and other trainees were forced to operate with a very limited amount of sleep in order to be prepared for room inspections, along with their attire being examined to the tiniest detail.

But such is expected of those willing to be a part of the elite unit.

"I'm proud of him because it is an honor for anyone, especially him to be able to be mentioned with those who donned that uniform," Ronnie Gordon said.

Gordon will be part of the guard's division located at Arlington National Cemetery, which is responsible for funerals.

"It is definitely a grind, one that he even says is rather difficult," Ronnie Gordon said. "But he has made the decision to turn this into a career, one that I believe will take him far."

Above even his call to the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard is Gordon's pride in this country and his responsibility to make sure it remains "the land of the free and the home of the brave."

"He definitely loves what he is doing," Ronnie Gordon said. "But he believes his call to serve America is much higher than being a part of the guard."