JOHNSTON - To some people, Memorial Day may be just another holiday.

But to Henry Wofford of Johnston, Memorial Day as well as any other patriotic holiday, has special meaning.

Wofford, who grew up in Orangeburg, was 21 years old when he was drafted into the service in 1941.

“The war started in December,” he said. “I was already in service when the war broke out.”

Having gone to infantry school at Ft. Benning, Ga., he had several assignments in the states including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina and was commissioned as a lieutenant. His last assignment in the states was at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter. His last assignment was as an Air Force Supply Officer for the Depot in Kumming (Yumen Province) in China in World War II as a member of the “Flying Tigers” or the 14th Air Force.

He did service in China as a captain. His commanding general in China was the well-known General Claire Chennault.

Wofford, also known for his musical abilities, said that during their spare time overseas, the servicemen had a great band which they put together.

“I played first trombone,” he said. “But I wasn’t there to play trombone. I had a very responsible job.”

And he took his job very seriously as did all the servicemen.

“I never felt like I was penalized for being in the war,” he said. “Most people in World War II felt it was their duty to defend their country. And they were respected for it.”

Of course, he missed his family, he said. But country came first.

“I feel sorry even today for the servicemen and women who have to be away from their families,” he said, reminiscing.

Once, when he was in China, he went to the mess hall and he heard a voice he thought he recognized.

“It was easy to tell the boys from South Carolina,” he said, with a smile. “I went back and there was a tall, lanky guy with a deep voice. I asked him where he was from and he said, ‘A little town you’ve never heard of — Ward, South Carolina.’ I laughed and said, ‘Have you ever heard of Johnston? I married a girl from Johnston.’ His name was Tom Wright and we remained close friends until he died.”

Wofford was in charge of the Depot where all the supplies came in for the duration of the war. He arrived home in 1946. At the time, he was already married and had one child. He married the former Edna Holmes in 1943 and they had four children.

They were married for 51 years until her death.

“When I came home, I knew it was time for me to go to work,” he said. “I ran a business in Johnston, Wofford’s Men’s Store, for 58 years.”

Wofford has compiled books of articles, pictures, recording and mementoes of his time in service. He has a Bible with very worn covers which he carried with him for the duration. It was given to him by Watts BTU of his church, First Baptist of Orangeburg,before he left. One of the decorations he received was called a “lost” World War II Decoration dated Sept. 29, 1945, but he didn’t receive it until 1984. It was a China War Memorial Decoration awarded by the government of the Republic of China.

Wofford has remained active in veterans’ organizations, including the DAV and is one of three charter members of the local Johnston American Legion. The others are Ralph Yonce and William Hendrix. He also was past commander of the China-Burma-India organization, which has been phased out. So has the 14th Air Force of which he attended many of the reunions.

“There were 16 million American boys involved in World War II and they are dying at a rate of 1,500 a day,” he said. “Already three-fourths of them are dead.”

Now, at 90, Wofford said he feels the same patriotism he felt back then.

“When I hear the Star Spangled Banner, I sometimes get goose bumps,” he said. “I did what I could do for my country and I did the best I could. I took advantage of every chance I got to improve myself to be a better citizen—any schooling I could get. I have no bad feelings about serving.”

He said his hat goes off to the servicemen of today.

“When traveling in the United States the past few years, I’ve noticed if there is any mention of being a veteran, people come up to me and shake my hand and tell me they appreciate what I did,” he said. “In my mind, I just did what I was supposed to do.”

Wofford and his current wife of 16 years, the former Dorothy Mixon, will conduct a patriotic Memorial Day music program for Trinity Mission Health and Rehab on Monday.