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Greenville County presents proclamation honoring Albert "AJ" Speece for military and veterans service
Summary
Greenville County commissioners presented a proclamation honoring Albert "AJ" Speece for 26 years in the U.S. Navy and for his service as the county Veterans Service Officer; Speece said he will continue supporting veterans outside county employment.
Greenville County commissioners presented a proclamation honoring Albert "AJ" Speece on the occasion of his retirement and praised his 26-year career in the U.S. Navy and subsequent work with the county Veterans Service Office.
The proclamation, read by a county lawmaker at the meeting, traced Speece’s service record back to his 1994 enlistment in Gainesville, Georgia, noted that he completed seven deployments aboard six ships (listed in the reading as USS Bute, USS Simpson, USS Briscoe, USS Truman, USS Harpers Ferry and USS Wasp), and described his rise to Senior Chief Master at Arms. The county said his Navy duties included anti-terrorism and physical security work, anti-terrorism training, investigations into serious incidents and instruction at the Naval Police Academy.
The county noted Speece’s volunteer work with the Disabled American Veterans as a Chapter Veterans Service Officer and said he retired from the Navy in 2020. The proclamation states Speece joined Greenville County in July 2022 as a Veterans Service Technician, was later appointed Veterans Service Officer and led improvements to outreach and partnerships intended to help veterans and their families access state and federal benefits.
"I'm going to continue helping veterans, just not in the county capacity," Speece said during brief remarks at the meeting, adding he planned to work with the county office and the Veterans Affairs Committee to connect veterans to services. He thanked commissioners and staff by name, including "Drew" and "Russ," and acknowledged his wife, Corey, and daughter, Brooke.
The Board of Commissioners issued a formal proclamation expressing its appreciation for Speece’s service and congratulating him on his retirement. No formal vote or ordinance was recorded; the item was presented as a recognition and closing remarks followed.
Speece said he will remain active in veteran outreach from the Berea community and expressed gratitude for the county’s support.
