Confedeate Memorial Day 2018 In Columbia, SC -- Part Two: March To The Statehouse & SCV Memorial Service

Members of the Palmetto Batallion Reenactors at the Confederate
Soldiers Monument on the SC Statehouse grounds.

Greetings one and all.  

The following photos are the second half of the annual Confederate Memorial Day event in Columbia, South Carolina from the 2018 service from my previous blog post.  

Following the graveside service at Elmwood Cemetery preformed by the SC Division United Daughters of the Confederacy, the attendees take a nearly 3 mile march from the cemetery through downtown Columbia to the State Capitol steps for another service sponsored by the SC Division Sons of Confederate Veterans. 

Members of the 16th SC Color Guard lining up to lead the parade.

Members of the Palmetto Battalion Reenactors.

Even if only for four hours (one for each year of the War)
the noble Dixie Cross again flies at the Confederate Soldiers'
Monument.

Mr. Jamie Graham, SC Division SCV Commander.

Mrs. Pat Blitch, President SC Society Order of the
Confederate Rose.

SC Division Commander Jamie Graham pinning the newest
Guardian, Mr. Michael Adams Jr.
A Guardian is someone to tends to graves of the honored dead
at least twice a year for a period of two years, including
cleaning the headstones and placing flags on the graves.

Dr. Paul Noe, Gen. Martin W. Gary Camp #1532
Keynote Speaker for this year's event.

And with the retiring of the colors and final prayers for the safe return of everyone present to their homes and families, the services honoring Confederate Memorial Day 2018 come to a conclusion. 

This was my 18th consecutive Confederate Memorial Day observance since becoming a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans in 2001. Haven't missed a gathering in Columbia since then and already looking forward to next year and standing with these wonderful sons and daughters of Dixie I am proud to call my family. 

Until then, have a wonderful Dixie Day and y'all come back now, ya hear? 

 

A photo of yours truly shaking hands with another gentlemen
out of frame after having walked that long walk from the
cemetery to the State capitol.
(Photo courtesy of Miss Renee Ball, SC UDC)

This final shot shows the members of the 16th SC Color Guard
in front of the Confederate Soldiers Monument with a pair of
outstanding young folks from the SC Children of the Confederacy.