For 5 years on patriotic holidays, Lorne and Kim White of Gilbert have painted 2 large rocks at Keisler Road and US 378 near Lexington. For Independence, Veterans and Memorial Days, they painted each rock with art and our American flag.

The Whites decided 2 years ago to honor those who died on 9-11 now known as Patriot’s Day. Together they designed the larger rock for 9-11 with the American flag and a fireman kneeling beside a cross.

The other rock they painted white with the words “Never Forget.” Lorne made wooden replicas of the Twin Towers, painted them grey and wrote the names of those who died on them. He said it took over 15 hours to painstakingly write each name.

He added 4 coats of sealer to preserve the names. The flag honors John Ryan of Irmo who was in New York on 9-11.

Lake Murray VFW Post 6740 Commander Ginger Graham wanted to meet the creators of these special memorials.

“We are gathering to show a debt of gratitude to two local patriots” she said at the painted rocks. Commander Graham presented the Whites with the VFW 6740 American Eagle Patriot Day Award. She thanked them and said their art reminds us of the many brave Americans who served this country.

VFW 6740 Auxiliary President Maxine Caughman, presented the Whites with a framed certificate signed by her and Graham. Terry Campbell, VFW Chaplain, ended the presentations with a closing prayer.

Special thanks to the Keisler family who owns the land. They have allowed members of our community to paint birthday wishes, anniversaries and messages to our military on the rocks since the 1960s. Those messages include birthday wishes, anniversaries and messages to our military.

VFW members who also attended are Senior Vice Commander Don Watson, Junior Vice President Becky Dula, Treasurer Carol Long, Chaplain Bob Caughman, Michelle Terrell, and Jerry Dula.