Gen. Turner's inspiring story connects history's dots

Abraham J. "Jackie" Turner's life story seems scripted by the classic American dream of quiet ambition, hard work and patriotic service.

And that dream is tap-rooted in the Phillips Community, a remarkable neighborhood east of the Cooper, located along Horlbeck Creek and along the Highway 41 stretch from U.S. 17 to the Wando River and the Berkeley County line.

The connection here is one man's soaring achievements and a neighborhood that proves progress is not always measured in more homes, bigger homes and higher real estate values. Most of Phillips is a self-preserved bastion of history and culture, a settlement fortress against the unsettled forces of rampant growth and urban sprawl.

Turner's home-place community connects history's large and small dots, the founding of America, the gallant wars and peace, and the dreads of slavery. The property evolved from Phillips Plantation, first owned by Irish immigrant John Rutledge, a physician and Anglican minister. In 1739, Dr. Rutledge's son, John, Jr., was born on the property. He would become the president of South Carolina, later our state's governor and he signed the Declaration of Independence. Dr. Rutledge is buried on the Phillips property.

The Phillips Community was originally platted by freedmen, former slaves who bought land parcels along Horlbeck Creek during Reconstruction. Gullah and sweetgrass artistry are celebrated and sustained in Phillips. So are family histories, family values and the heritage of proud folks working hard and achieving much, like Jackie Turner.

Highway 41 has been Phillips' "main street" for nearly a century, and now the roadway has a formal name. By act of the S.C. General Assembly, the highway has been designated: "Major Gen. Abraham J. Turner Highway."

James B. Edwards, one of John Rutledge, Jr.'s successors as South Carolina governor, spoke at the dedication ceremonies. He called Gen. Turner "a true patriot," adding that "his story confirms in many ways, the greatness of America."

As a boy, the general grew up fishing on Horlbeck Creek and playing near then dusty Highway 41. Like most of his childhood pals, he went to church regularly; his father was the minister. He was encouraged to develop his musical interests and talents. He often gathered sweet grass for the basket weavers. He worked at the Piggly Wiggly and graduated with honors from Moultrie High School.

He went to S.C. State University, joined the band and became the drum major. He joined the "Bulldog Battalion," the school's ROTC program. The school is a leader in preparing military officers. Since its start in 1947, more than 2,000 S.C. State grads have been commissioned as military service officers. Gen. Turner and 10 others have earned promotions to the ranks of army general. Two others have been elevated to Marine Corps general officer ranks.

With his bachelor's of science degree in music, Jackie Turner in 1976 began his army career. He graduated from the Army War College and earned a masters degree in public administration from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. His resume documents numerous honors and an impressive multi-theatre combat record, including the Bronze Star. Today, Gen. Turner is chief of staff, U.S. Strategic Command, at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

Gen. Turner's life is, in fact, an inspiring story of a youngster from an historic freedmen's community becoming a decorated military leader. And with this honor, we're learning more about the Phillips Community, a ground of genuine history.

You wonder why we don't know more about Phillips, and why there aren't markers all over the place. If Phillips doesn't qualify for formal designation as an historic community entitled to all respect, protections and reverence of the American people, it's hard to imagine what community would.

The Phillips Community Association was founded in 2000 and has consistently shielded the community of about 450 persons from the creeping invasion of development. That challenge and no doubt the temptations have been considerable as this outlying reach of Charleston County and Mount Pleasant has seen real estate values skyrocket.

"We could sell our land and go off rich," a resident proclaimed a decade ago. "But if we did that we'd never get back what we've got now, and it's just not worth it."

Another resident declared, "Property is an investment for most people, but property is home. You live, you grow up, you die, and you pass it on. We're just trying to preserve what was passed on to us. Our grandfathers and great-grandfathers had to work and buy property that they handed down to us."

That all adds up to a definition of a "value" system and hard proof that "progress" is not always about growth and development.

It can be defined as preserving history and nurturing heritage, culture and the values that strengthen families and produce achievers, like Gen. Turner.

Ron Brinson is a former associate editor of this newspaper. He can be reached at rbrin1013@gmail.com.