Lake Murray VFW 6740 held its annual Memorial Day Ceremony program on Monday, May 27. Due to the threat of inclement weather, the event was held inside their building. Charles Holloway, VFW 6740 Commander, welcomed everyone who came. They joined together for the opportunity to celebrate and honor the many men and women of our military who died while protecting our nation.

Howard Barr, VFW 6740 Chaplain, gave the invocation. Presentation of Color was given by the Batesburg Leesville High School JROTC Color Guard. Raimee Davis sang the National Anthem. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Kevin Crapps, VFW 6740 Sr. Vice Commander. Andy Machemer, VFW 6740 Auxiliary President, introduced the special guests for the program. Special guests included: Lancer Shull, Mayor of Batesburg-Leesville, CSM® Wallace Oswald, Retired Chief of Police, and Major General Van McCarty, SC Adjutant General.

Guest speaker Major General Van McCarty serves as the 29th Adjutant General for South Carolina and is head of the SC Military Department. He Administers the affairs of the SC Army and Air National Guard, the Emergency Management Division, the State Guard, and the Youth Challenge Academy. Major General McCarty is a 1982 graduate of the Citadel. During his 40 years of service he had commanded units at every echelon from Battery to Brigade. He has been awarded several awards and decorations.

Howard Barr, VFW 6740 Chaplain led the Bell Ceremony and Michael Snyder, VFW Jr. Vice Commander rang the bell at the Bell Ceremony after each name was read. Barr told the attendees that they would present a Bell Ceremony to honor those cherished lives lost throughout our community. Thirteen names of military men who died in combat were read.

Afterwards, the names of the Lake Murray VFW 6740 Comrades who had passed over the recent years were read. After the reading taps, was performed by VFW 6740 Commander Gary Landry. Afterwards Raimee Davis and Lexie Davis sang Amazing Grace. Everyone who attended was given an American flag to put on the grave of someone who served in the military.