On Friday, a day before the United States of America turned 250 years old, motorcycle riders from Laurens and Swannanoa, NC, participated in a handoff of the Nation of Patriots Patriot Tour American Flag at the Post Home in Laurens.
After the exchange, the Flag traveled to The Square in downtown Laurens for a hand-off to Laurens Mayor Nathan Senn, and a display, along with the sealing of the City of Laurens' time capsules that will be opened in 2126. The capsules contain reflections of America by city leaders, letters from US Sen. Tim Scott and Gov. Henry McMaster, newspapers of the day, a city map and restaurant menus, among other items.
The flag hand-offs by American Legion and VFW motorcycle riders are part of a tour to take the same American Flag to all 50 states over a 115-day relay. The Flag left Laurens Saturday morning, the Fourth of July, for Aiken. From thewre it is to go to Savannah, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Port St. Joe & Milton, Fla., and Mobile, Ala., and onward. The theme is One Flag, 50 States, 115 days, One Mission; this is the Patriot Tour's 17th year annniversary.
The events were a prelude to Laurens' FreedomFest activities, veterans' tribute, music & fireworks Friday afternoon and evening. One aspect of the late afternoon events was the retirement announcement of Police Chief Heath Copeland, who earlier at Post 25's Choctaw Street headquarters had signed the flag-banner that is part of the Patriot Tour. The Flag was brought to Laurens by Harley-Davidson Asheville., and those riders accompanied it to the downtown hand-off ceremony before returning home.
Nation of Patriots here.
FreedomFest here.
