In our June article, we put out a request not just for funds to support the cemetery upkeep but volunteers willing to lend a hand to help with the property. A big thanks goes out to the Landrum United Methodist Church youth group, Rita Plumley and Reverend Kevin Dalton for taking us up on our request.

On Saturday, Nov. 5, the LUMC youth group took on the daunting task of placing flags on the graves of the veterans buried in the cemetery, something that has not been done in years. This jewel of our local culture and heritage is the final resting place of veterans of all major wars of this country, many dating back to the Civil War. The youth group was able to place about 30 new American flags on the graves of our veterans.

The cemetery dates back to the middle 1800s and some of the graves are so old that the markers no longer have any visible engravings. The graves of the veterans of the Civil War are marked with a bronze marker known as the Southern Cross of Honor Medal. A walk through the cemetery will make you very proud to live in a community that has had so many veterans that have spanned the history of this country.

Current members of the Landrum Cemetery Perpetual Care Association are Butch Morgan, Rita Landrum, Anita Briggs, Bob Briggs and Jay Boatwright. All maintenance and general care is covered solely by funds donated to the association.

The Landrum Cemetery fund is in need of donations from the citizens of the Landrum area to continue its care and upkeep. Tax-deductible donations can be made to the Spartanburg County Foundation at 424 East Kennedy St., Spartanburg, SC 29302. Contributions should be clearly marked for the Landrum Cemetery Fund.

– article submitted by Nancy Boatwright