AROUND LEXINGTON COUNTY

We acknowledge all the women and men in the United States armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice to our country, It is their sacrifice that we remembered and honored on Memorial Day.

A Memorial Day service was held Monday at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home in Lexington. Prelude music was provided by Jackie Day Frye,. Brent Caughman welcomed the guests and Gary Bake, past commander of American Legion Post 7, served as emcee.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem by Constance Flemming, the Rev. Jeff Kersey of Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church gave the invocation.

Remarks and recognition of veterans and Blue Star Mothers were given by Ed Lundeen, Lexington County Veteran’s Affairs Officer, and Gary Baker.

Dawn Day Jacobs led military songs, with veterans standing for their branches.

Hamp Caughman Jr. introduced the keynote speaker, Major Matthew Weathers of the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School at Fort Jackson.

The audience joined in singing “God Bless America” before the benediction and patriotic balloon release.

David Griffith, Post 7 commander, closed the ceremony with the playing of “Taps.” Refreshments and fellowship were then enjoyed by all.

The Pelion Ruritan Veterans Memorial Service also was held May 28. The Memorial Committee includes Benny Collings, chair, Kay Collings, Charles

Haggard, Jean Haggard, Beverly Jackson, Sam Jackson, Steve Neese and Tim Treaster.

The Pelion High School Band and the Pelion Junior ROTC participated with patriotic music and the presentation of the wreath.

Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of summer. AAA says, with more confidence in the economy and inspite of higher gas prices, there were many travelers this past weekend.

Happy birthday to Beulah Glover, who turned 101 on May 26. Also to Shannon Harman,, Carsyn Antley, Peyton Antley, Rita Rodgers, Lauren Whiteside, Connor Rouillard, Hailey Smith, Stacey Westberry, Eugene Kaufman, Evan Mann, Ginger Taylor, Nathan Tomashitis, Lisa Cribb, Joanne Duncan, Max Senf, Thomas Falk, Wyman Shull, Dieter Klose, Robert Scoggins, Olivia Sons and Ellen W. Steele.