By SCOTT POWELLLedger Staff Writer

The American Legion Post 109 and the county veterans museum will present 250 years of American military history on April 30.

The free event will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the American Legion Hut on South Logan Street and Irene Park on West Montgomery Street. The event includes presentations on military weapons, equipment, and lectures by South Carolina historians.

Military history will be covered from the French-Indian War through the present war in Iraq.

Speakers include Dr. Robert Kaemmerlen (civil war medicine), Dr. Bobby Moss (revolutionary war) Jim Crocker (World War I) and retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Robert Hall (modern military history.)

Wofford College history professor Tracy Revels has been added as a speaker. She will speak at 9 a.m. on “The Women of the Confederacy.”

“We welcome all of the speakers and appreciate their contributions to this special day commemorating 250 years of American military history,” said American Legion Vice Commander Robert Ivey, who has helped organize the event. “This is a day to pause, and through the commemoration of Veterans Appreciation Day, to honor all of America’s patriots who have given their best to their country.”

Civil War re-enactors from Moses Wood Camp 125 and Sons of Confederate Veterans will present cooking, lifestyles and weapons firing demonstrations. Information on the Revolutionary War will be given by re-enactors from the Backcountry Militia, South Carolina Rangers and the Brigade of Friends.

Mike Jenkins will have a display on Indian War relics. He is among several military weapons collectors who will have private collections on display at the American Legion Hut.

The South Carolina State Guard Honor Guard will fire M1’s and present flag folding demonstrations throughout the day.

There will also be displays of original military arms and equipment from the French-Indian War through the Iraqi war. The county veterans museum will be open all day.

People are invited to bring their lawn chairs and cameras. The Carolina Smokers will have food available at the event.

Ivey hopes county residents will leave with a greater appreciation for military history and the sacrifices veterans have made for America’s freedom.

“In the days of the Revolutionary War, there were few uniforms and weapons to go around. But these brave men were willing to battle Britain’s best troops and Europe’s fiercest mercenaries because they believed in three essential ideals,” Ivey said. “Those ideals were independence from foreign tyranny, human equality and democracy. And when the test came, when freedom had to be fought for or abandoned, they fought.”