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Easley veterans memorial to honor all military

Editor

jevans@pickenssentinel.com

EASLEY - Each of the five branches of the U.S. military will have a place on honor on Easley's new veterans memorial.

The monument will be unveiled and dedicated in a special ceremony 7:30 p.m. Sunday June 29 in front of City Hall.

The monument is meant to honor all of the nation's veterans, said former Easley mayor Chris Christopherson, a WII Navy veteran.

"The city of Easley is dedicating this to veterans in Easley, Pickens County, the state and the nation," he said.

Christopherson serves on the committee organizing the ceremony, along with former Sen. Nell Smith, Col. Rick Simmons, Sid Alexander and Cecil Nalley.

Both U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and Sen. Larry Martin are scheduled to speak at the ceremony.

The ceremony will also feature 40 special guests - the members of the 246th Army Band.

"They will lend a wonderful air to the whole ceremony," Christopherson said. "It's going to be beautiful."

Members of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Easley High School NJROTC will also participate in the ceremony.

City officials are keeping the monument's look under wraps until the ceremony, but have revealed the memorial will feature a quote from President Calvin Coolidge, "The nation that forgets its defenders shall itself be forgotten."

The memorial will also be inscribed with the motto, "To our military men and women, past and present, your commitment, service and sacrifice will be remembered forever."