Following Chief Beach’s speech, members of the Color Guard of the Pickens High School Army JROTC posted the colors.

 “Thank you for those words, Chief,” said Commander Tolar, who then spoke: “This day is sacred with the almost visible presence of those who have gone before us. We honor the memory of those who gave their lives in service to our country and of the others who have dropped their burdens by the wayside of life and are gone to the everlasting rest. May the ceremonies of today deepen our reverence for our departed friends and members. Let us renew our pledge and loyalty to this country and its flag. Let us resolve by words and in deeds to emphasize the privilege and duty of patriotism that we have.”

Post 11 Chaplain John Rainville (Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, retired and Senior Army Instructor of the Pickens High School Army JROTC) then prayed. “Let us pray. Almighty God, giver of all victories, we thank thee for the opportunities which abide in our land, for thy guidance in the hour of peril and thy tender love in times of need. Help us to remember with reverence the valor and devotion of our departed friends – not only those whose bodies consecrate our country’s soil, but those who sleep beyond the seas, and others whose resting place will never be known until that last day when the deep will have given up its dead. O God, teach us to honor them by ever cherishing the ideals for which they fought. Keep us steadfast in the cause of human rights and liberties, of law and order, and true Americanism. Give us the power to see and the will to do right. Grant that The American Legion may preserve the high ideals for which so many have died. May thy merciful blessing rest upon those left behind. Keep us forever firm in righteousness, humble of heart, and unselfish in purpose. Amen.”

Zeb James of the Pickens High School Army JROTC then read the poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae.

“In Flanders fields, the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.”

Then, everyone stood, with their hands over their hearts, as the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner”, was played.

Commander Tolar then spoke.  “Again, our nation has assembled to honor the heroic dead. A thousand battles of land, sea, and air echo the glory of their valiant deeds. Under the quiet sod, or beneath the murmuring waves, their bodies sleep in peace. But in the destinies of the veterans, their souls go marching on. Because of them, our lives are free. Because of them, our nation lives. When we recall the things they did, the heroes’ host seems mighty in our midst. When peril threatened and the country called, what was divine self-sacrifice, they left their path of peace and sprang to arms to make their breast a barricade against the nation’s foes. No sorrow for the loved ones left behind could dim the purpose in their souls. No weariness of the march and watch could keep them from their heart’s desire. No horror of the field or seas or the air could beat their courage down. They fought for us, and for us they fell. Now, with one accord, and the deepest reverence, we do them honor. Let us not remember them in anguish. They would not wish our pity. For their sake, also, let us not forget the loved ones left behind. Our tears and words of sympathy could not bring back the comfort of those loving hands or the music of those voices stilled. Only the solemn pride that has been given more than all of the rest is theirs who live to weep. All the world, because of what they gave, is a debtor to them. On this Memorial Day, let us pledge ourselves anew to patriotic service. Let us make ourselves a friend and brother and son and father of those who will not see their own again in mortal flesh. Let us grasp with fearless hands the flag so nobly borne before, and, like those others, plant it always on the battlements of the righteous. All who stand with us today, will you not consecrate yourselves with us to emulate their sacrifice of service, that those who rest in heroes’ graves may not have died in vain.”

He then asked everyone to stand with bowed head for 30 seconds of silence.

Rainville asked for everyone to remain standing as “Taps” was played. “I ask those of you who have previous military service, please render a hand salute to the playing of ‘Taps.’ All others, please place your hand over your heart.”

Following the playing of “Taps”, Rainville delivered the benediction. “Dear Lord, grant us your spirit as we honor those who have fought a good fight and finished the course. On this day, we are called to remember those who served in far-off places and who have laid down their arms and marched to that land of eternal peace. We remember the sufferings, the fears, the horrors of what they endured.”

After the conclusion of the service, attendees, including members of the Legion and their families, enjoyed a cookout.