Veterans honored at Saturday ceremony

Local veteran and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3447 Quartermaster Merle Reams salutes Old Glory during the National Anthem at Saturday's Veterans Day program. Not looking to gain anything from his 23 years in the military but the sense of pride from serving the country he loves, Saturday was enough to bring a tear to Merle Reams' eyes.

"This means everything," Reams said, "it means a lot to be part of this brotherhood."

Close to 40 people packed into the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3447 thanking local veterans for their effort in wars past and present.

At least 10 months went into preparing the event organizers hoped would adequately honor those who laid their lives on the line at home and abroad.

It wasn't long ago that Hershel "Sam" Scruggs found himself in the war zone. Three deployments to Afghanistan have revealed many things to him, but none more than the American spirit.

He took time out of his busy schedule to visit Cherokee County this weekend.

"Our soldiers are doing their jobs with pride and with a purpose," Scruggs said. "They are really making a difference.

During his time in Afghanistan, Scruggs said soldiers have trained Afghanistan's army, in addition to the nation holding its first military exercises.

Only 14 soldiers were lost during the training process, each of whose names came to the lips of Scruggs during his speech.

Cherokee County will soon be able to show its appreciation to those who served the country in war at a Veterans Park located on Logan and Montgomery streets.

The property has been cleared in preparation for the construction project, with Wayne Powell of the Veterans Day Committee thinking work could begin within the next few weeks.

"Right now we're just trying to dot the I's and cross our T's," Powell said. "We want to etch the names of our veterans in stone for all to see. It's because of them that we have the freedoms we do now."

VFW Veterans Day essay winners Zack Smith, Peyton Yenchik, Taylor Covington and Jacob Fowlkes were recognized during the program, reading letters expressing gratitude to those who have spent time in the military.

"We absolutely need to thank you for our freedom, because without you we would not be free," Fowlkes said.