Easley will receive some very special visitors Monday afternoon.
A group of wounded Marines will be stopping in Easley on their way to Lake Keowee for some well-earned and well-deserved rest and relaxation.
Communities 4 Warriors is a non-profit organization that brings hosts the Marines at Keowee Key each year.
City Administrator Fox Simons said the Marines from Camp Lejune and the Wounded Warriors regiment, are slated to arrive at the J.B. “Red” Owens Complex between 1 and 2 pm. Monday, June 18.
They will then leave for Lake Keowee around 3pm. They will be traveling down Highway 123.
“The public and businesses along 123 are encouraged to come out and support these veterans,” Simons said.
Around 40 Marines are taking part in the R&R.
“All of them have suffered injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Simons said.
For the past several years, Easley has participated in welcoming the Marines as they travel through town on their way to Keowee Key, he said.
“It's really something to see,” Simons said. “The soldiers are really in awe of all the thanks that they receive.”
The Marines will be given a special “Honoring Their Service” Motorcade as they travel through the area. The parade will be made up of motorcycles, the Patriot Guards, law enforcement, Humvees – and members of a local club.
The Upstate Legends Jeep Club has been asked to take part in this year's “Honoring Their Service” Motorcade.
Club Co-founder Terri Cassell said Scott Buckhiester with Dunburk's Premier Events had worked with the club before at cruise-in events and asked club officials if they'd like to be a part of this year's Marine Motorcade.
“We presented it to our group and they were very thrilled to be able to participate and honor our veterans,” Cassell said.
22 Jeeps will be escorting the Marines, and six others that will be family vehicles and cargo vehicles.
“We will pick up the Marines at Red Owens Complex and be part of the parade all the way up to Keowee Key,” Cassell said.
The Jeeps will be decked out with patriotic gear.
“We have flags – Marine flags, American flags,” Cassell said. “We're working on lights. One of our members has a strobe light. We just want to make sure all the Jeeps are recognizable and the Marines inside are honored the way they need to be.”
For more information about Community 4 Warriors, visit www.c4warriors.org
For more information about the Upstate Legends Jeep Club, visit www.upstatelegendsjeepclub.com
Contact Bob Krause, Commandant, 864 430-3055 for more information.
http://www.c4warriors.org/Route.html