Copyright Live 5 News WCSC
PINEVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) - The Berkeley 250 Francis Marion Commission and the South Carolina State Guard joined other local organizations to honor veterans at the gravesite of General Francis Marion ahead of Veterans Day. The ceremony brought together veterans, active service members and their families at the Revolutionary War hero’s burial site. “I served with a lot of good guys who some didn’t return, some did, but they all served with honor,” veteran Ed McCants said. Maj. Gen. Commander Leon Lott of the South Carolina State Guard said the event highlighted the importance of remembering true heroes. “Very important that we never forget the real heroes that we’ve got. Not a sports figure, but someone who put a uniform on, a different type of uniform that was willing to sacrifice his life,” Lott said. The ceremony included military traditions such as the Posting of Colors and the National Anthem to remember those who served before. “This is someone who’s a true American patriot and a hero for South Carolina and for the United States, and we’re free today because of someone like General Francis Marion,” Lott said. McCants emphasized the importance of recognizing those who went beyond their call of duty. “There are many of those who serve and did more than was asked of them. And I think those people need to be recognized and those people need to be honored,” McCants said. “If you don’t remember your past, you won’t have a future,” Lott said. The ceremony also served as a reminder of what it means to be a veteran. “Somebody who is willing to sacrifice whatever was necessary for the duty he was in charge to perform,” McCants said. “You never stop serving. Once you put this uniform on, you really never take it off. You always have it on. It may not be visible, but you have it on inside your heart,” Lott said. And it showed why it’s important to honor what our flag stands for. “Have a duty and obligation to keep our country free,” McCants said. The South Carolina State Guard is also assisting food banks across the state in response to the ongoing government shutdown, making sure families don’t go hungry.
