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Friday, March 29, 2024 - 08:28 AM

INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVE VOICE OF UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

First Published in 1994

INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVE VOICE OF
UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

American-Legion-Chapter-3-Rider-Bobby-Prater

Between one and two years the cremated remains of veterans who honorably served their country sat on the shelves of the Greenville County Coroner’s office waiting for their final honor.

American Legion Post 3 Chapter conducted the service Friday and the Greenville County Joint Veterans Council and American Legion Post 3 Color Guard presented the colors.

Owens-Kennemore Marine Corps League were honorary pallbearers.

The Missing in America Program (MIAP) with assistance from Legionnaires from American Legion Post 3, Greenville, SC, and Post 193 of Chapin, SC conducted a full military honors funeral for seven unclaimed Veterans on Sept. 13, 2013, at the Ft. Jackson National Cemetery in Columbia, SC. The cremated remains of the six veterans were escorted from the parking lot of County Square  by the American Legion Riders of South Carolina and the Patriot Guard.

Chaplain Emeritus Tom Fincher was on hand to officiate the ceremony and an Honor Guard from Fort Gordon, Georgia, provided Full Military Honors.

The Veterans interred are:

Specialist Fourth Class James R. White, U.S. Army – Dates of Service: 04/17/1973 to 11/12/1974

Specialist Fourth Class Terry R. Powell, U.S. Army – Dates of Service: 01/22/1970 to 08/29/1971

Private First Class Charles Woodham, U.S. Army – Dates of Service: 11/06/1943 to 01/10/1946

Private James D. Parker, U.S. Army – Dates of Service: 11/1968 to 04/1970

Steel Worker Construction Recruit Loren F. Hurst, U.S. Navy – Dates of Service: 6/21/1974 to 8/21/1975

Airman Recruit Arthur S. Franklin, U.S. Navy – Dates of Service: 09/22/1972 to 10/25/1972

Airman Basic Gary A. Washington, U.S. Air Force – Dates of Service: 08/11/1976 to 08/23/1977

Very little is known about these veterans. When these men left the world they had no one to claim them and see to it that they received the proper dignified burial they earned and rightfully deserved. Members of the MIAP make sure that they are buried with dignity, honor and respect.

This was the fifth ceremony held in South Carolina since Governor Nikki Haley signed an Act in May 2012 TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, by adding CHAPTER 12 TO TITLE 25 which authorized Veteran Service Organizations to receive from funeral homes and coroners the unclaimed cremated remains of veterans and have them interred at National Cemeteries alongside their Brothers and Sisters in Arms.

The Cypress Urns were made by Juveniles in the custody of the SC Dept. of Juvenile Justice.

 

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