The powerful words of a former President of the United States, the late Ronald Reagan, rang out loudly and clearly over the Laurens County Veteran’s Monument at the Laurens Public Library Monday morning.
Memorial Day.
It is a day to remember the fallen of America’s military and their sacrifice for freedom.
The Laurens County Hall of Heroes presented this year’s Memorial Day observance. Keynote Speaker was Major General Robin B. Stilwell, the Adjutant General, State of South Carolina.
“Thank you for allowing me to be in Laurens County again. It’s always a privilege for me to come to Laurens County. There’s not a community in the state of South Carolina, and I would submit to you in the United States of America, who has this level of support for its veterans community,” he said.
On November 19, 1863, at the dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery, the keynote speech was more than 13,000 words. Then, President Abraham Lincoln used just 272 words to deliver “the greatest speech in American history,” Stilwell said, “and even though there was no Memorial Day yet conceived of in the United States, what he delivered was the greatest Memorial Day speech in American history. The genius was not in the brevity or in the eloquence or in the delivery. I believe the true genius of this speech was in his recognition and acknowledgement that he had nothing to say.”
On July 1 - 3, 1863, the North and the South had fought a battle here that produced 51,000 casualties.
“There was nothing he could say, but he recognized there was something he could do,” Stilwell said.
President Lincoln realized he could increase his devotion and highly resolve that these soldiers shall not have died in vain. “There is nothing I can say …,” Stilwell said, “but I can rededicate my life to the notion that government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from this Earth.”
Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is the greatest work of American history, Stilwell said, and he would not presume to change it; however, he would add one additional line that would not detract from or dilute Lincoln’s message at all — “To the soldiers who have died for our freedom and their families, we thank you, we love you, and we will never forget you.”
Just before “Taps,” the American Flag which was set at half staff at sunrise was raised to full staff and would stay at full staff until sunset.
Clinton High School’s Army ROTC presented the colors. Rev. and Sgt. Phil Wyatt (U.S. Army) provided The National Anthem, and Laurens County Council Vice-chairman Matthew Brownlee presented the prayer. Welcoming remarks were made by Laurens Mayor Nathan Senn and Clinton Mayor Randy Randall, along with chairman’s remarks by Morris Madden, Laurens County Hall of Heroes. The United States Flag was raised to full staff by Hall of Heroes Vice-chairman Lt. Col. Jim Moore, and Major General Stilwell and Mayors Senn and Randall participated in the laying of wreaths.
Hall of Heroes Board Member Sgt. Mark Madden presented the playing of “Taps” (audio), and Sgt. Major Don Evans gave a spirited closing statement.
