By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter

jevans@thepccourier.com

COUNTY — Each year on the last Monday in May, the nation pauses to remember and honor the men and women who died serving their country.

A number of events are planned around Pickens County.

At 9 a.m. next Monday, May 30, members of the American Legion Pickens Post 11 and the Knights of Columbus will hold a ceremony at Sunrise Cemetery in Pickens.

A flag will be raised during the 30-minute ceremony, said Gary Parsons with the American Legion Pickens Post 11.

Rep. Davey Hiott will speak.

The Marine Corps League may also take part in the ceremony. Parsons said a local motorcycle group has also taken part in recent years.

Later that day, Pickens Post 11 members will travel to Hillcrest Cemetery for another ceremony. That ceremony is set to begin around 11:45 a.m., Parsons said. A wreath will be placed and flags will be raised on both sides of the highway. Another flag will be raised in the veterans section of the cemetery.

The flag-raising is set to take place at noon, Parsons said.

In Easley, members of the American Legion Post 52 will place flags in Westview Cemetery this Friday.

Also on Friday, Post 52 will begin its Memorial Day Poppy Sale at the Wal-Mart in Easley. Poppies will be sold from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday through Monday. The Memorial Day Poppy Sale is Post 52’s biggest fundraiser each year.

Aunt Sue’s Country Corner will also present its third annual Memorial Day Fest on Monday, featuring bluegrass music from Band Kelley, Balsam Range and Larry Sparks.

Tickets are $20. Barbecue and hot dogs will be available. Attendees are urged to bring a lawn chair.

For more information, contact Aunt Sue’s Country Corner at (864) 878-4366.

Clemson University will also honor fallen soldiers at a Memorial Day service at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Scroll of Honor Memorial.

The service will feature patriotic songs, a 21-gun salute and remarks by retired Lt. Col. Eric Turner. Turner, a chaplain and 1982 Clemson graduate, served tours of duty in Germany, Iraq and Afghanistan. He retired with 32 years of military service in the Army and National Guard.

“The men and women of our armed forces who gave their lives in defense of freedom traded their futures for our tomorrows,” said Lance Young, chairman of the Clemson Corps. “Their service should be remembered and honored by all of us who enjoy the freedom that is the legacy of their sacrifice.”

The Clemson Corps is coordinating the event at the Scroll of Honor Memorial on Williamson Road, directly across from Memorial Stadium. The public is invited. Parking will be available along the Avenue of Champions, immediately north of the stadium. Seating is limited, so people are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

In addition to the local Memorial Day events, Pickens County Veterans Affairs Officer Martha Dorset said a banner commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War is being displayed at the county administrative building in Pickens.

The banner can be seen as you come up the divided driveway of the administration building.

According to a proclamation issued by Governor Nikki Haley last year, the United States Vietnam War Commemoration “was established to thank and honor the veterans, including those held as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action, and their families for their service and sacrifice.”