Legion honors fallen comrades at Courthouse

Members of the American Legion Post No. 68 gathered at the 11th hour Monday to celebrate their fellow comrades who gave their all in the fight for freedom. Commander George Barnett received a plaque for 60 years of outstanding service in the legion. “Today, I remember why I am here, and what was done for me to be here,” Barnett said. “Without these men and women, I wouldn’t be where I am today. A lot of people lost their lives, or suffered great injuries.” Barnett said he was proud and thankful he came back. “We should never forget today, because if it wasn’t for these men and women and what they lost, we wouldn’t be here or have our freedom,” County Council Chairman Dwight Stewart Jr. told those gathered Monday on the Clarendon County Courthouse grounds that the federal holiday founded in 1868 sets out “to recognize and remember those who fought for American freedoms and lost their lives in the Armed Forces.” “We join hands today across this great nation to celebrate and recognize the men and women who have given their lives for us, and made freedom possible,” Stewart said. “We must remember that freedom is not something we are entitled to, but something we are privileged to have.” Mitchell Cottingham was among this year’s crowd of veterans. He served in North Africa during World War II as a private first class. Now 97, Cottingham was the senior most veteran there, saying that made the service all the more special to him. “I remember the friends that I lost, and what we went through,” said Cottingham, who lives on Lake Marion and owns Cottingham Insurance Agency. “There are very few World War II veterans left, and I am lucky that I am still living.” Leroy Carter, who served as a sergeant first class on three Vietnam tours during his time in the Army Special Forces, agreed. He said Memorial Day is special to him “because of the remembrance of the lives who fought for ours.” He also noted that his grandson, Caleb Elms, a member of the Manning High School Class of 2015 and a member of the school’s JROTC, is following in his footsteps. Elms was accepted earlier this year into the Air Force Academy in Colorado. “Today, we are honoring the dead and the people who fought alongside of us,” Carter said. “If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be free. This country is free because of them.” “I am so proud of Caleb for choosing to do this,” Carter added. Elms said he is proud of the two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star that his grandfather has. “Today is a chance to honor those who have fallen in the military, and show appreciation to them for their service,” Elms said.