PICKENS – A little rain couldn’t stop local veterans groups and members of the community from honoring the memory of all those who have served their country.

This year’s Memorial Day Ceremony began at Sunrise Ceremony, and then moved to the American Legion Post 11 hall due to inclement weather.

The ceremony was presented by Fleet Reserve Branch 15, American Legion Post 11, the Knights of Columbus and Boy Scout Troop 51.

Following the playing of the National Anthem by Hunter Brons, Emile Harrison, a member of Girl Scout Troop 4115, read the poem “In Flanders Field,” a moving tribute to the fallen of World War I.

Dr. Charles Dougherty was guest speaker during the ceremony, and spoke of how towns large and small would delay the start of the business day every year on Decoration Day, now known as Memorial Day.

Following a ceremony, the town’s day wouldn’t start until after noon each year – a tradition that Dougherty said he wished had continued all over the year.

“I’m saddened now that we don’t carry on those traditions in towns small or large to remember those who made the supreme sacrifice – those who fought and those who died,” Dougherty said.

Memorial Day serves as a reminder that our freedoms aren’t free – and that many have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy those freedoms, Dougherty said.

“It is the veteran, not the preacher, who protects our freedom of religion,” he said.

“It is the veteran, not the reporter, who protects our freedom of the press.

“It is the veteran, not the poet, who protects our freedom of speech,” Dougherty continued.

“It is the veteran, not the campus organizer, who protects our freedom to assemble. It is the veteran, not the lawyer, who protects our right to a fair trial. It is the veteran, not the politician, who protects our right to vote.

“Our veterans … have and continue to protect us and our freedoms,” he said.

Veterans protect us from ideologies that would rob us of those freedoms “in nothing flat,” Dougherty said.

Brons concluded the ceremony by playing “Taps.”

Following the conclusion of the ceremony, a reception was held at the Legion hall.