The afternoon of Saturday, May 30, 2026, citizens gathered in front of the Pickens County Magistrate’s Office, located at 310 West Main Street in Liberty, at a monument for US Army Private First Class William A. McWhorter, one of Pickens County’s four Medal of Honor recipients, to pay their respects on traditional Memorial Day in a special ceremony honoring him. McWhorter, who died in World War II, is buried in Liberty’s West View Cemetery.

The ceremony began at 12:45 p.m. with a welcome by Lara Townsend and the posting of the colors by Liberty High School students Landen Campbell and Luke Jones.

US Air Force veteran Sonya Summey Miller then sang the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Lt. Colonel Tom von Kaenel (US Army, retired), a member of American Legion Post 67 of Liberty and the founder of The Semper Fi Barn in Six Mile, gave the invocation.

The keynote speech for the event was then given by Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Mullinax (US Army, retired), a member of American Legion Post 67 of Liberty.

Lara Townsend then read the Medal of Honor Citation for Liberty’s own William A. McWhorter.

Landen Campbell and Luke Jones then presented wreaths at the monument, and a moment of silence was observed.

A rifle salute was given by seven members of American Legion Post 124 of Walhalla, commanded by Oconee County Veterans Affairs Officer Jerry Dyar, and “Taps” was played by a member of Post 124.

Tom von Kaenel, of Post 67, who thanked everyone for coming, then delivered the benediction.

Liberty High School students Landen Campbell and Luke Jones then retired the colors.

Lara Townsend thanked everyone for coming and gave the closing remarks.

To listen to audio of the entire Memorial Day ceremony, including all speeches, click on the play button on the audio player below.

Below, view 43 photos by The Pickens County Chronicle from the Memorial Day ceremony.