A look at the 12th Annual Pelion Ruritan Veterans Memorial Service

Around 150 people came out and braved the weather for the 12th Annual Pelion Ruritan Veterans Memorial Service held on Memorial Day.

The service began with a drizzle but soon the sun was shining brightly. The service began with the ringing of the hour by Pelion High School Band Director Thomas Finigan and the Pelion High School band. The colors were presented by the American Legion Pelion Post 101 followed by the Pledge of Allegiance by all in attendance and the National Anthem by the Soldiers of Faith.

The invocation was then given by the Ruritan Chaplain, Pastor Joe Savage, who is also pastor of the Pelion Church of the Nazarene.

Ruritan President Angie Olawsky welcomed everyone and gave a special recognition to the South Carolina Patriot Guard Riders who stand around the memorial monument. These dedicated people stand in rain or shine. She also gave a special recognition to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Honor Guard, the American Legion Pelion Post 101, the Life Springs Chimers and the Pelion High School Band. These people willingly gave their time to attend and be part of this service.

David Mills and the Pelion High Band then recognized the veterans in attendance as the band played the anthems of each of the branches of the military. Josh Quattlebaum with the Soldiers of Faith gave a beautiful rendition of “God Bless the USA.”

Mayor Frank Shumpert recognized the dignitaries who were present and also recognized the town council members, the town clerk, town attorney and the town financial assistant. He also gave special recognition to Chief Chris Garner.

LTC Timothy Humphries from Fort Jackson gave his remarks and acknowledged the presence of his grandfather, Tim Humphries, who is 92 years young.

The Soldiers of Faith presented patriotic music and the Life Springs Chimers gave a rendition of “Beneath the Flag.”

The flag ceremony was under the leadership of the American Legion Pelion Post 101, Commander David Mills and assisted by Steve Neese. During the ceremony, the Pelion High School Band played "This is My Country." Members of Pelion Post 101 presented the wreath after the flag ceremony. The beautiful wreath each year is donated by Shelly Laird, owner of Pine View Florist.

There was a moment of silence. The 21-gun salute was given by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard. Hawk Betts, with the Pelion American Legion 101, played TAPS.

The service then adjourned.

The original Ruritan Veterans Memorial was dedicated on Memorial Day, May 25, 2015. Phase 2 was dedicated on Memorial Day, May 30, 2016.

Each year since the dedication, the Pelion Ruritan Club is honored to provide a Memorial Day service for our veterans, families and friends. Additional pavers have been added to the site each year, which now brings us to a total of 396 engraved names within the memorial. The “floor” of the memorial features 367 engraved interlocking brick pavers and the granite band features 29 names of the servicemen killed in action. The names of the 43 sponsors are listed on an engraved stone to the right of the memorial.

The Veterans Memorial came about as a project of the Pelion Ruritan when member Benny Collings was asked to chair the Patriotism and Citizenship Committee in 2014. He chaired the committee from March 2015 until his death in October 2019. The current committee members are Lorraine Hayes, Treasurer; Kay Collings, Recorder; Steve Neese, Assistant Treasurer; and Angie Olawsky, President.

The Ruritan continues to thank those people who assist the Ruritan in the maintenance and upkeep of the site with no cost to the Ruritan Club. David Daniel, maintenance of the site; Bruce Wise, installs new bricks each year; Larry Sossoman, engraves new bricks each year.

The club extends a heartfelt thanks to the community for its continued support of this project. When it was first presented to the club in 2014, there was some doubt as to whether the club could afford to build the project at an estimated cost of $80,000. However, thanks to people who donated their time and labor at no charge to the club, and those who gave monetary donations, the memorial was built for approximately half the estimated cost.

Bricks for veterans are available for purchase and are placed each year during May. April 15 of each year is the cutoff date to receive new brick forms. Forms received after that date will not be placed until the following year.