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Story and Photos By Leon G. Russ
HOMETOWN NEWS
The skies were grey and the air muggy but the rain held off as those gathered at Duncan Park’s Veterans Point for the Memorial Day Ceremony came together to honor the service of current military members and remember the service of those who had gone before and paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Veterans from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam stood side by side with civilians and current military members during the somber ceremony.
In a bid to beat the oncoming rain the ceremony started a bit early with the reading of the names of deceased Spartanburg County Veterans.
The roll was halted so the formal program could begin and was later picked up during the closing moments of the ceremony.
The Reverend Roy Cole of Episcopal Baptist Church of the Advent delivered the opening prayer before Ron Bullock, Commander; VFW Post 9539 took to the podium.
Bullock introduced two very special groups of people who were in attendance: the Gold Star Mothers, those who have lost sons or daughters in service to our country, and Blue Star Mothers, whose sons or daughters are currently serving our country.
The Hutchens Caldwell Marine Corps Detachment then posted the colors, the POW/MIA flag was raised and the Pledge of Allegiance and national anthem came next before VFW Post 9539 David Morehead read the POW/MIA Table Resolution 288.
Guest speaker Richard N. Bell of the VFW C of A District #9, Department of North and South Carolina then spoke to those assembled.
Bell noted, “We pause to honor all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice…who gave their last full measure of devotion. If not for those we honor today, many countries around the world would still be in the grip of tyranny.”
As he looked out upon the mostly older faces gathered, he stated, “It is up to us to ensure the legacy of the fallen is passed on to the next generation and all those that follow.”
He ended speaking of those who laid down their life for out country, “May their sacrifice continue to inspire us and fill us with hope all the days of our life.”
The roll call of the dead then was joined and numerous military organizations placed wreaths at the base of the monument at Veteran’s Point.
The Hutchens-Caldwell Detachment than fired off a three round volley as a salute to all veterans. The ceremony officially came to an end as David Morehead blew Taps.
Found among the crowd was Boiling Springs’ Mike Edge. Edge serves with the 1263 Combat Support Force in Greer. He said it was important for people to be at this event and others like them. Noting other Memorial Day events that go on, Edge said, “It’s not about car sales or Wal-Mart, it’s about those that laid down their life for our country.”
Rolling Thunder member and Navy vet Bill Poerner agreed saying, “There aren’t enough people in this world who realize what this is all about.”
Greer’s Robert Wright retired from the Air Force in 2003 following 20 years of service. He was one of the younger folks there who served the nation. He said it was important for him to be there “to remember the service of those who came before us and honor those who lost their lives. Freedom ain’t free.”
The most succinct answer to the question why are you here came from Rolling Thunder’s Mike Nanney, a civilian, who stated, “You just have to care.”
lruss@hometown-news.com
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