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The are several activities and ceremonies planned to honor veterans this upcoming Memorial Day weekend. On Friday, May 27, the American Legion Post 250 and Auxiliary members will distribute small paper poppies at several local businesses. Donations are welcome. All donations received will be used to benefit local veterans.

 

On Saturday, May 28 at 9:00 a.m., members of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post 9116 and Auxiliary will meet to place an American flag at each veteran’s grave interred at Polk Memorial Garden Cemetery in Columbus. VFW welcomes other local groups and individuals who want to participate in this activity. At approximately 11:00 a.m., the VFW Post 9116 and Auxiliary members will travel to Saluda and place an American Flag on each veteran’s grave interred at the Saluda Cemetery and the Freedom Baptist Church Cemetery.

 

On Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, at 10:00 a.m., Memorial Day ceremonies will be conducted at Polk Memorial Gardens by members of the VFW Post 9116 and Auxiliary, the Polk County Memorial Honor Guard, and McFarland Funeral Home and Crematory. The guest speaker is David Fleming, a US Navy Veteran and member of the American Legion Post 250, VFW Post 9116, and Polk County Memorial Honor Guard. Anita Williamson will sing the National Anthem. Then, at 11:00 a.m., the Polk County Memorial Honor Guard will dedicate the new flag pole at McFarland Funeral Home and Crematory.

 

At 3:30 p.m., Memorial Day ceremonies will be conducted at the Saluda Veterans Park by members of the VFW Post 9116 and Auxiliary and the Polk County Memorial Honor Guard. The Polk County VFW Post 9116 officers, Auxiliary officers, and the Polk County Memorial Honor Guard will conclude each Memorial Day ceremony with the laying of a wreath and flowers whose colors have special meanings for this day. This will be followed by the presentation of a small American flag, a 3-round volley Gun Salute, and the playing of Taps.

 

Please attend these ceremonies on Memorial Day weekend and help fulfill the commitment to remember and honor those men and women who served so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today.

 

Submitted by D. Michael Collins, Commander VFW Post 9116