Location of the annual Memorial Day Ceremony. (Photo by Christa Price)

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Help support local veterans with the annual Poppy Drive

By Christa Price

 

POLK COUNTY—This Memorial Day, several activities are taking place in our area to honor military servicemembers who gave the ultimate sacrifice while protecting our freedoms. Additionally, on Memorial Day Weekend, the Polk County Memorial Honor Guard, members of the American Legion Post 250 and Post 9116 and their Auxiliaries will conduct the annual Poppy Drive to raise relief funding for local Veterans.

On Friday, May 23, at 9 a.m., the Polk County Memorial Honor Guard, members of the Columbus and Mill Spring Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9116, and Tryon’s American Legion Post 250 will meet at the Tryon Cemetery to place American flags on the graves of all interred veterans.

Also, on Saturday, May 24, at 9 a.m., the Polk County Memorial Honor Guard, members of the VFW Post 9116 and American Legion Post 250, will meet at the Polk Memorial Gardens. They will place American flags on the graves of every interred veteran.

Many of the members will arrive at the Saluda Cemetery and the Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery at 11 a.m. the same day to place flags on the graves of veterans.

David M. Collins, Commander of VFW Post 9116, said any assistance honoring deceased veterans from local groups and individuals is welcomed. “For several years, we have had many small groups working to place more than 500 American Flags in less than two hours,” said Collins.

On Monday, May 26, at 10 a.m., the VFW Post 9116 and Auxiliary and the Polk County Memorial Honor Guard will conduct their 46th annual Memorial Day Ceremony in honor of deceased Veterans at the Polk County Memorial Garden. McFarland Funeral Home will provide seating under a tent for Ceremony attendees.

At 3:30 p.m., they will also conduct the Memorial Day Ceremony at Saluda Veterans Park.

“Please join us and help fulfill our commitment to remember and honor those men and women who gave their lives so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today,” Collins said.