26 Years of Pickens County Journalism
Six Mile honors the fallen in traditional Memorial Day ceremony on Friday, May 30
By Karen Brewer, Publisher & Editor
The American and South Carolina flags fly at half-staff before the start of the Town of Six Mile's traditional Memorial Day ceremony on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
All who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our nation were honored during the town of Six Mile’s annual traditional Memorial Day ceremony, Six Mile Remembers, on Friday, May 30, 2025 in front of Six Mile Town Hall.
The ceremony began at 11:40 a.m. as Six Mile Mayor James Atkinson welcomed everyone who had gathered and thanked everyone who had a part in organizing the Memorial Day ceremony, including committee members Tom Smith, Jenni Brink, Rick Hegenberger, Katie Rampey, past Six Mile Mayor Roy Stoddard, and Tom von Kaenel; event partners the Town of Six Mile; American Legion Post 52 of Easley; American Legion Post 67 of Liberty; Fleet Reserve Association Branch 15; Red, White, and Brew Coffee; Flowers by Marty; Semper Fi Barn; and the Six Mile Fire Department; and Rita Martin and Diana Manwarren with the Town of Six Mile, and John Gay. “Most of all,” Atkinson said, “we’re here today to thank and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you for being here today, and welcome to Six Mile.”
Six Mile Mayor James Atkinson welcomes everyone to the Town of Six Mile's traditional Memorial Day ceremony in front of Town Hall on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Tom von Kaenel, Colonel, U.S. Army, retired, served as moderator of the ceremony and spoke about the meaning and sacredness of Memorial Day, remembering those who died in service to our nation. “It’s important that we have it today, rather than Monday,” he said, “because, somewhere in the rush of a three-day weekend, people start to think of Memorial Day as something that’s happy. It is not happy. It should be remembered with respect and with honor. And, from a personal experience, I can tell you that my grandmother, who lost her son in 1944, honored Memorial Day every day from the time that she got the notice that he was missing in action until the notification that he was killed in an airplane crash over Vienna and buried in a common grave in Jefferson Barracks. For her and for my grandfather and for their children, every day was a Memorial Day. So, we approach this on the 30th of May with reverence, with honor, and with gratitude.”
Tom von Kaenel, Colonel, U.S. Army, retired, moderator of Six Mile's traditional Memorial Day ceremony, speaks about the meaning and sacredness of Memorial Day, remembering those who died in service to our nation. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
As John Gay and the Star Scouts of Six Mile led everyone in singing the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” veterans rendered the hand salute. and others stood with a right hand over their heart.
John Gay and the Star Scouts of Six Mile sing the national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner," as veterans, including Pickens County Veterans Affairs Officer and American Legion Post 52 Commander Walt Carter render the hand salute. (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
The Star Scouts of Six Mile then led everyone in reciting The Pledge of Allegiance.
The Star Scouts of Six Mile recite The Pledge of Allegiance. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Von Kaenel then introduced Ted Edwards, of Valor (a veterans outreach organization) and a United States Marine Corps veteran, who gave the invocation: “Our heavenly Father, on this very solemn and sacred day, we bow before you with hearts both heavy and hopeful. We come together as a community to remember and reflect and give thanks. Although it’s been said many, many times in the past, it’s still true, that all gave some but some gave all. Thank you, Father, for the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we might live in freedom. Your word tells us that greater love has no one than this, that they lay down their life for their friends. Thank you that you said, right after that, that you are our friend. Thank you for the families who raised their children to be selfless, and we pray that you continue to comfort them like only you can. Father, you not only know the names of every person who has given their lives. You know every family member and everyone who is hurting, every veteran who still struggles, and I pray that you would comfort them. You care. You care deeply. Lord, make us aware and make us understand that remembrance is incomplete without resolve. You call us not only to honor the fallen but to live in a way that gives meaning to their sacrifice. You have placed us here in this time and this place not simply to observe but to serve. Help us not to take lightly the freedoms we’ve inherited. Let us steward them well. Galatians 5:13 says we were called to freedom. Brothers and sisters, not only use your freedom as an opportunity of the flesh but, through love, serve one another. May our lives reflect the values of our fallen heroes, of faith, honor, integrity, sacrifice. Most of all, Father, I thank you for the greatest rescue mission that has ever taken place in this world, when you sent your son, Jesus Christ, to die, to rescue us, to rescue a people for yourself, people that your word says were your enemies. I don’t understand all of that, but I’m glad we can experience this through your son, Jesus Christ. And it is in his name that I pray. And everybody said, Amen.”
Ted Edwards gives the invocation during Six Mile's traditional Memorial Day ceremony. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Von Kaenel then introduced past Pickens Mayor Ted Shehan, who spoke about his childhood friend Ephriam Rutledge ‘Rut’ Liles II, who was killed in Vietnam. “Thank you very much,” said Shehan. “It is indeed an honor to be here today. Over 58,000 young men died in Vietnam. I’m going to tell you about one of them, Ephriam Rutledge Liles II, better known to all of his friends and everyone in Pickens as Rut. He was born in Pickens May 13, 1947. He was the son of Rutledge and Mary Liles. Rut had one older sister, Mary, Jr. An all-American family. Rut had an infectious smile, an outgoing personality, and he never met a stranger.
“He was a true friend to many,” said Shehan, adding that some of Liles’ friends were there for the Memorial Day ceremony.
“He was an active member in Grace Methodist Church,” continued Shehan. “As a Boy Scout, Rut attained the rank of Eagle. I understand about one out of 25 scouts earn the rank of Eagle. Rut loved quail hunting, trout fishing, and the mountains of Pickens County. He was a charter member of the Possum Valley Forestry Club, which is still active today. Rut played football for Pickens High School and was a class officer. He was a counselor at Camp Greenville, and, at the Chapel at Pretty Place, one of the most beautiful places in the world, there is a plaque there, remembering Rut.
“Upon graduating from Pickens High School, Rut attended the Citadel, and he was a walk-on for the football team. Upon returning to Pickens, Rut was active in the Pickens Jaycees, and, at a monument at the Jaycee Park, at the flagpole, there is a marker dedicated to Rutledge there.
“In 1969, we were at war with Vietnam. Rut wanted to serve his country, and he tried to join the Army, but he failed the physical and was classified as 4F. Some people would have been ‘tickled to death’ not to have to serve, but not Rut. Some men in this country, about to be drafted, were heading north to Canada — not many in Pickens County, I’m proud to say. Rut had surgery at his own expense in order to pass the Army physical. Rut wanted to go to helicopter school. He was accepted, and, upon graduation, he was commissioned as a warrant officer. Rut was in Vietnam less than two weeks before he and two other crew members were shot down by enemy fire, and he and the other crew members died in the crash. The date Warrant Officer Ephriam Rutledge Liles II died was July 4, 1969. Yes, Independence Day.
“Rutledge is gone. He paid a sacrifice. But he will never be forgotten. Thank you.”
Past Pickens Mayor Ted Shehan speaks about his childhood friend and Pickens native Rut Liles, who was killed in Vietnam. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Rut Liles
Next to speak about a childhood friend who was killed in Vietnam was Tom Smith, who led the committee for Six Mile’s Memorial Day ceremony.
“Panel 14E, line 122. That’s where the name of David Davenport appears on the Vietnam Wall. I viewed it earlier this month, at the traveling Wall in Liberty. It’s not the first time I’ve seen it and probably won’t be the last. David Donovan Davenport, Jr. was a childhood friend of mine. He lived at 12 East Main Street in Taylors, South Carolina, and I lived at 30 East Main Street in Taylors. We lived about seven or eight houses apart. David was born November 22, 1945 in Greenville. His parents were Dave, Sr. and Willie Mae Davenport. We were friends, pals, and, at times, frenemies, the typical ebb and flow of childhood, good times and bad times.”
Smith said that they played mostly outside, except for bad weather, but, when it snowed, they played outside. He recalled “fun times, occasionally mischievous acts.” He said, “The main line of Southern Railway ran behind our houses. Perhaps the railroads in the backyards were more mystic to us, as children than the Main Street.
“David and I started to school together in September of 1952 at Taylors. At that time, Taylors had grades one through twelve all under one roof. We attended Taylors through the eighth grade. We walked to school, along with the other kids on our end of Main Street.
“In September of 1960, we started the ninth grade at Wade Hampton High School in Greenville. The new school combined Taylors with our eastside rivals, Paris High School, as well as some students from Greenville High and Parker High. At Wade Hampton, there was no more walking to school. There was a school bus for us. We attended Wade Hampton in regular sessions for four years with a couple of summer terms thrown in – and that was not for extra credit.
“David was an athlete. He played football for four years at Wade Hampton. My athletic endeavors were confined to backyard games.
“We graduated in 1964 at Memorial Auditorium, or more affectionately known as the big brown box, in Greenville. The Main Street crew went our separate ways after high school. David went to Montreat-Anderson College, a junior college at the time up in Montreat, North Carolina. I went to Gardner-Webb Junior College in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. We stayed in touch as well as we could, weekends and the summer of 1965. David returned to Montreat in September of 1965, and I left Gardner-Webb to attend Lake City Junior College in Lake City, Florida.
“In mid-1966, David was drafted into the United States Army. He went to boot camp and advanced infantry. In December of 1966, we were both home for Christmas. The small group gathered in the neighborhood to catch up. That was the last time I ever saw or spoke to David. His unit shipped out to Vietnam and was in country soon after the first of the year.
“PFC Davenport was in the 1st Infantry Division, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, Charlie Company.
“On February 5, 1967, as David’s unit was moving a mine perimeter, one exploded and ended my friend’s life. I got a message from my mother, telling me I needed to get home. I made it home. David’s service was held at the First Baptist Church in Taylors in February of 1967. He is buried at the First Baptist Church of Taylors.
“David was awarded a Purple Heart posthumously in April of 1967. His Dad, Dave, Sr., and his mother, Willie Mae, accepted that. Other medals and ribbons included Marksmanship, National Defense, the Vietnam campaign, Gallantry Cross, and Presidential Unit Citation.
“For those honored here today, as well as all the others who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, the lines from verse three of “America the Beautiful” sum it up well. ‘O, beautiful, for heroes proved / In liberating strife, / Who more than self their country loved / And mercy more than life.”’
“Rest in peace, brothers and sisters, rest in peace.”
Tom Smith, who led the committee for Six Mile's traditional Memorial Day service, speaks about his childhood friend David Donovan Davenport, who was killed in Vietnam. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
David Davenport
Prior to the wreath presentation for the Memorial Day ceremony, von Kaenel read an explanation of its significance: “We present this wreath today as a symbol of eternal life, to remember and to honor. Its circular shape, with no beginning and no end, reflects the enduring nature of love, the memory and the legacy left behind. Each flower and each branch represents our collective respect, gratitude and sorrow. This is more than a gesture. It is a solemn tribute to a life lived, a life lost, and a life remembered. With the wreath that will be presented, we mark our presence, our mourning, and most of all our enduring honor.”
Tom von Kaenel reads of the significance of the wreath presentation. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Members of the Fleet Reserve and the American Legion then presented the wreath, which was received by Smith, von Kaenel, and Shehan.
Members of the Fleet Reserve and American Legion present the wreath. (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
The wreath is received by Tom Smith, Tom von Kaenel, and Ted Shehan. (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Rick Hegenberger and Steve Townsend then gave the Remembrance Bell Ceremony. “The toll of the bell reminds us of the reverence we owe to our departed brothers and sisters in arms and to those who continue to guard the honor of our country,” said Hegenberger, as Townsend rang the bell. “Charles Barker, Korea; James Howe, Vietnam; William McWhorter, World War II; Furman Smith, World War II; Rut Liles, Vietnam; David Davenport, Vietnam — the bell tolls for these six and the many others from Pickens County who have perished in the name of freedom.”
Rick Hegenberger and Steve Townsend give the Remembrance Bell ceremony. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Members of the Fleet Reserve and the American Legion then raised the American and South Carolina flags (which had been lowered to half-staff earlier that morning) to full staff, as military veterans saluted and each civilian placed a right hand upon his or her heart.
Members of the Fleet Reserve and the American Legion raise the American and South Carolina flags to full staff. (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Katie Rampey, Events Coordinator for the Town of Six Mile, thanked all who had gathered for the Memorial Day event. “On behalf of the Town of Six Mile, thank you for coming,” she said. “Thank you for taking time out of your day for this incredible ceremony.”
Katie Rampey, Events Coordinator for the Town of Six Mile, thanks everyone for coming to the Memorial Day ceremony. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
In closing the ceremony, “Taps” was performed by Nick Vlahos, Chaplain for the American Legion Post 52 of Easley, as veterans saluted and civilians placed their hands over their hearts in solemn remembrance.
Nick Vlahos, Chaplain for the American Legion Post 52 of Easley, plays "Taps" as veterans salute and civlians place their hands over their hearts. (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Four friends who were also friends to Rut Liles pose for a photo together following the ceremony. Pictured, left to right, are Jack Evans, Ted Shehan, Alex Gettys, and Milton Ponder. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
State Senator Rex Rice and Alex Gettys speak and shake hands following the ceremony. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Six Mile Mayor James Atkinson and Alex Gettys speak and shake hands following the ceremony. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
