Honoring our Heroes:
Field of Honor's closing ceremony marks 23rd anniversary of 9-11 attack
By Karen Brewer, Publisher & Editor
The Field of Honor’s closing ceremony, held at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, marked the 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
“I’d like to thank everyone for coming out tonight for our closing ceremony for our first Field of Honor,” said Lori Osborn, President of the Dacusville Community Club, as she welcomed all of those who had gathered for the event. After thanking the sponsors of the event, she led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag, which had been raised by members of the Easley American Legion Post 52.
Gary Finley, Secretary for the Foothills Civitan Club, introduced Roger Dail, Associate Pastor for Music and Family Ministries at Cross Roads Baptist Church, who sang “God Bless America” and then gave the invocation. “Father God, thank you for this event that brings us together today,” he prayed. “We thank you for our country. We thank you for the freedoms that we have in America. Even though many times those freedoms seem to be attacked, Father, we are grateful you have protected us. And I pray, Father God, that you would remind our leaders and those who guide our country that the true solution to all of our problems is not found in politics, is not found in warfare, but is found in you. So, tonight, Father, thank you for this ceremony. Thank you for our veterans, whom we have been honoring for the past two weeks. We thank you for their commitment to our country, risking and giving their lives to serve us and to keep us free. And, this evening, Father, we lift up a special prayer for those survivors of 9-11 some 23 years ago. And those people who died, Father, help us to remember their legacy. Father, remind us that we need to turn to you. Back then, we turned to you during that difficult time. And I pray, Father God, that you would bring revival to this country. Thank you for all of those who organized this event. And I pray, as they wrap up this evening, that everything that happens will bring honor and glory to you, will remind people of how blessed we are and the freedoms that we have to be living in America. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.”
Gary Finley introduced Bob McDonald, who, as he did during the opening ceremony, recited “My Name is ‘Old Glory”, written by Howard Schnauber.
Click on the play button below to listen to his recitation.
Audio by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle
Leaders and members of the Cub Scouts Pack 132 from Dacusville and Troop 51 Boy Scouts of Pickens participated in a flag retirement ceremony.
Shane Vaughn asked how many veterans were in the crowd, and he gave a grommet off the corner of the flag to the veterans.
“We’ve come together to dispose of a flag which is no longer serviceable,” said Vaughn. “The flag has served as a reminder of our nation and those who have defended our freedom and served us well. The United States flag code states that a flag, when it is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. These scouts are going to present the flag to us one last time.”
Everyone then said the Pledge of Allegiance one last time to the American flag that was to be retired.
“The flag is more than just a brightly colored cloth,” said Vaughn. “It is an important symbol of our nation.”
Members of the Boy Scouts of Troop 51, Dexter and Mason, then spoke of the significance of the flag and the flag retirement ceremony.
“Seven red stripes and six white stripes; together they represent the original 13 colonies that gave us liberty. The red stripes remind us of the lifeblood of the brave men and women who were ready to die for this country. The white stripes remind us of purity and cleanliness of purpose, thought, word, and deed. The blue is for truth and justice, like the eternal blue of the star-filled heavens. The stars represent the 50 sovereign states of our union. The American Creed states it is my duty to my country to love it, to respect its constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies. Therefore, we retire flags with dignity and respect when they become worn, torn, faded, or badly soiled. A flag ceases to be a flag when it is cut into pieces. We cut the flag into four pieces, three red and white striped banners and the blue star field. We leave the blue field intact because no one should ever let the union be broken.”
“We ask that everybody remain a respectful silence as the flag is being retired,” said Vaughn, as the flag was burned. “Once the ashes are cool, they will be buried in the ground. That will be the final step of the retirement, to show respect. Thank you for your patience. God bless America.”
Patsy Finley then introduced South Carolina State Senator Rex Rice, who spoke about Pickens County’s four Medal of Honor recipients: Charles Barker, James Donnie Howe, William McWhorter, and Furman Smith.
Please press the play button below to hear Senator Rex Rice’s speech.
Audio by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle
Lori Osborn then introduced State Representative Davey Hiott, who spoke of the significance of remembering September 11, 2001.
Please press the play button below to listen to Rep. Davey Hiott’s speech.
Audio by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle
“In closing, I would like to thank everyone for coming here this evening of September 11, 2024,” said Osborn. “It has been an honor to help recognize the individual heroes of those in our community and beyond. This endeavor is not about Dacusville Community Club or the Foothills Civitan Club. This endeavor is about honoring those who have made this country great, those who have made a positive impact on our lives, either here or abroad, some giving the ultimate sacrifice, some just being the best Mom or brother ever.” Osborn thanked all of the volunteers who made the event possible.
Patsy Finley also thanked the members of the Easley American Legion Post 52 Honor Guard, who lowered the American flag from the flagpole and took another American flag to the stage, where it was folded. Jonathan Strange, of American Legion Post 52 Honor Guard, explained the significance of each of the folds. “The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life. The second fold signifies our belief in eternal life. The third fold is made in honor and tribute for the veteran who has departed our ranks, and who has given a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace. The fourth fold exemplifies our weaker nature; as citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn for His divine guidance. The fifth fold is acknowledgement to our country. In the words of Stephen Decatur, ‘Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.’ The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The seventh fold is a tribute to our armed forces, for it is through our armed forces that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies. The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who has entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and for our mothers, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day. The ninth fold is an honor to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty, and devotion that the character of men and women who have made this country great have been molded. The tenth fold is a tribute to father, who, he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first born. The eleventh fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The twelfth fold, in the eyes of Christian citizens, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. The last fold: when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, ‘In God We Trust.’”
Following the Honor Guard’s rifle salute, “Taps” was played to close the inaugural event.
Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts perform a flag retirement ceremony. (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Members of the Easley American Legion Post 52 Honor Guard retire the colors (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
As members of the Easley American Legion Post 52 Honor Guard fold the flag, Jonathan Strange explains the significance of each fold. (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
