Lake Murray VFW Post 6740 to hold Memorial Day event May 25

Lake Murray VFW Post 6740 will hold its annual observance of Memorial Day with a 10 a.m. ceremony on Monday, May 25, at the Post, 950 Rock ‘n Creek Rd., Leesville. The event promises to be a solemn, patriotic experience in memory and honor of all American heroes who have sacrificed their lives in service to our country. It is open to the public and all are invited and encouraged to attend. The 30-40 minute ceremony will include the following:

• Welcome by Post Commander & Invocation by Post Chaplain
• Posting and Retiring of the Colors by a flag corps composed of Combat Veteran members of Post 6740
• National Anthem to be performed by Rut Spence, local country music recording artist, cousin of fallen hero, U.S. Army SP4 Thomas D. Caughman, KIA, 09 JUN 2004, Operation Iraqi Freedom
• Pledge of Allegiance led by VFW Auxiliary President & placing of flags on crosses by family members of fallen heroes and other Combat Veterans
• Special recognition of Korean War hero, SFC George W. Koon, who died in captivity in a Chinese POW encampment, 30 August 1951
• Keynote Address by U.S. Army Colonel Brian Pipkin, Commander, 59th Aviation Troop Command, South Carolina Army National Guard, Foreign Deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan
• Bell Ceremony specifically honoring six fallen soldiers from Leesville who died in combat (one during World War I, one during World War II, one during the War in Korea, three in Vietnam) and 10 others from Lexington County who sacrificed their lives in battle in Iraq and Afghanistan
• Playing of Amazing Grace (bagpipes)
• TAPS performed live on the bugle by Post 6740 Quartermaster

At the conclusion of the memorial ceremony, a second special presentation is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. honoring the 84th anniversary of the Doolittle Raiders daring World War II air raid mission on Tokyo, in retaliation for the unprovoked Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941. This presentation includes in-depth commentary and visuals with local historical emphasis of Gen. James Doolittle’s top secret mission which was headquartered in West Columbia and trained over the skies and waters of Lake Murray. The mission was carried out on April 18, 1942, and was instrumental in shifting momentum in the Pacific theater, setting the stage for the eventual World War II victory over Japan.

Refreshments will be provided before and after the event by the Lake Murray VFW Post 6740 Auxiliary.

The public is cordially invited and encouraged to attend.