Only in Manning …

Dear Editor:
Last week, I had the privilege of experiencing the caring spirit of the Manning community, albeit through a heart-wrenching experience with the illness and death of one of its most beloved citizens, Morgan Sauls IV. There are many individuals I would like to write and thank personally, but in the interest of time maybe this will reach those of you who were so supportive and gracious to Morgan’s family and friends.

The physicians and staff at Clarendon Memorial Hospital and Independence Place extended care far beyond their professional duty. Among many are Dr. Aldrich, Brooke, Mitzi, Carol Lane, Carol Utley and all Morg’s friends and staff members at Independence Place, the hospital chef and the wonderful meals he served, and so many others whose names I may forget, but will never forget their vigilance and constant support.

Bill Holmes and The Presbyterian Church of Manning family were a constant presence and source of support, from Morg’s initial illness through a beautiful service of the celebration of his life. Ministering, serving food, warm hugs and heartfelt condolences will always be remembered. I believe many of us will adopt the mantra of “I heard what I needed to hear.”

Friends of the Sauls’ were as loving and caring as any family could wish for. Again, there are too many to name, but I will always feel a bond with the Paul Burke family, the John Land family, the Muckenfuss family of Rock Hill and so many others, who supported the Sauls’ family in such loving and beautiful ways.

So, thank you Manning, for the community you are and for embracing not only your own, but those of us who visit there (even from the “up-country!”).

Sincerely,
Gail G. Benke
Greenville, S.C.

Lest We Forget …

Dear Editor:
With young men and women in our military giving their lives daily to secure our rights and freedoms, we sometimes forget about those soldiers of the past who also served and sacrificed for this country.

Although time eases the pain of a lost loved one, it also tends to fade from memory the struggle almost every generation has had in defense of country and our homes, from the Revolutionary War to the present.

The various soldiers who rest in the Oak Grove Cemetery on Bloomville Road are being remembered in a very special and tender way.

The Manning Chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans is in the process of cleaning and repairing their graves. The debris and unwanted brush that has accumulated or grown around the markers is being gently removed. A few headstones, apparently broken during Hugo, have already been repaired and others will be straightened. Nearly 25 Crosses of Honor that have been stolen or broken will soon be replaced. At least four new headstones will be returned to mark the graves of soldiers whose markers have disappeared.

When all is completed, a memorial service for these heroes will be conducted by the SCV with the public invited. The Sons of Confederate Veterans is a non-political, non-profit historical honor society whose goal is the preservation of our Southern heritage and traditions, and its members also contribute to our community in many other ways.

The local membership ranges in age from young men born since Desert Storm to three World War II veterans.

This project is our small way of giving back and saying thank you to those soldiers who have already given their full measure. “As a WWII veteran myself these are my comrades no matter what the war or generation and they should always be respected,” said Past Commander Albert Jackson.

The majority of the members of the SCV are veterans themselves from many different wars.

The only requirement to join is being a descendant of a Confederate soldier. Anyone who would like to contribute to the cost of these restorations for their family member or ancestor or be a part of the process may contact Steve Douglas at 803-854-2103. The organization is also asking for any descendant of Henry M. Griffin (born 1839, died Sept. 20, 1923) or William James Timmons (born Dec. 25, 1848, died Nov. 11, 1919) to please contact Steve Douglas at the same number listed above.

Sincerely,
Steve Douglas
Adjutant
Manning Chapter
Sons of Confederate Veterans