EASLEY — Downtown Main Streets across the Upstate were lined with residents cheering and waving flags to welcome 40 Marines in the ninth annual Honoring Their Service ride.
“We are Americans who respect and honor the service of our Veterans and want them to know that we care,” states the organization’s website. “Our purpose is to give our community an opportunity to say thank you and to show members of our military — and our veterans — that we are people who appreciate what they do on our behalf, day in and day out.”
The ride is HTS’s signature event and is hosted annually in partnership with the Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital, for combat veterans from the Marine Special Operations Command and members of the Wounded Warrior Regiment in Greenville SC.
Marines are invited into homes in Keowee Key for four days of rest and relaxation.
The route, which sets off from the J.B. Red Owens Sports Complex in Easley, takes a winding path through downtown Easley, Liberty, Norris and Central before heading off to Clemson and Seneca, eventually turning up S.C. 130 to Keowee Key.
Around 300 decorated Jeeps accompany a roaring motorcade of motorcycles and trikes to escort the soldiers to their destination where activities like fishing, hiking, golfing and archery have been arranged to be enjoyed at their leisure.
“Honoring Their Service has proven to be a one of a kind Marine Corps event that could only be successfully created by people with a sense of family and community; people that take seriously their pride in country and citizen obligation to those that serve it,” said Maj. Gen. M.A. Clark, Commander U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command. “The annual outpouring of support has brought community outreach and appreciation to heights that are rarely reached.”
In addition to the Honoring Their Service ride, the organization also offers a family getaway program and care packages for deployed National Guardsmen.
HTS has also teamed with the Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital to create the “Peace House” and with Purple Heart Homes to create the “Golden Corner Chapter” — which remodels homes for veterans with disabilities.
To make a donation or volunteer with Honoring Their Service, visit www.honoring-their-service.org.
The Easley Fire Department hosted a flag above the path down Main Street.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_068-1.jpgThe Easley Fire Department hosted a flag above the path down Main Street. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
In addition to the Honoring Their Service ride, HTS also offers a family getaway program and care packages for deployed National Guardsmen.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_113-1.jpgIn addition to the Honoring Their Service ride, HTS also offers a family getaway program and care packages for deployed National Guardsmen. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
Around 300 decorated Jeeps accompanied a roaring motorcade of motorcycles and trikes to escort the soldiers.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_121.jpgAround 300 decorated Jeeps accompanied a roaring motorcade of motorcycles and trikes to escort the soldiers. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
The ninth annual Honoring Their Service ride passes through Easley.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_134.jpgThe ninth annual Honoring Their Service ride passes through Easley. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
Marines are invited into homes in Keowee Key for four days of rest and relaxation.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_148.jpgMarines are invited into homes in Keowee Key for four days of rest and relaxation. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
HTS has also teamed with the Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital to create the “Peace House” and with Purple Heart Homes to create the “Golden Corner Chapter” — which remodels homes for veterans with disabilities.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_158.jpgHTS has also teamed with the Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital to create the “Peace House” and with Purple Heart Homes to create the “Golden Corner Chapter” — which remodels homes for veterans with disabilities. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
A force of motorcycles turned up to escort the soldiers.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_161.jpgA force of motorcycles turned up to escort the soldiers. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
Bikers young and old came from across the Upstate to take part.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_170.jpgBikers young and old came from across the Upstate to take part. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
“Honoring Their Service has proven to be a one of a kind Marine Corps event that could only be successfully created by people with a sense of family and community; people that take seriously their pride in country and citizen obligation to those that serve it,” said Maj. Gen. M.A. Clark.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_173.jpg“Honoring Their Service has proven to be a one of a kind Marine Corps event that could only be successfully created by people with a sense of family and community; people that take seriously their pride in country and citizen obligation to those that serve it,” said Maj. Gen. M.A. Clark. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
Downtown Main Streets across the Upstate were lined with residents cheering and waving flags to welcome 40 Marines in the ninth annual Honoring Their Service ride.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_183.jpgDowntown Main Streets across the Upstate were lined with residents cheering and waving flags to welcome 40 Marines in the ninth annual Honoring Their Service ride. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
The route sets off from the J.B. Red Owens Sports Complex in Easley and takes a winding path through downtown Easley, Liberty, Norris and Central before heading off to Clemson and Seneca.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_188.jpgThe route sets off from the J.B. Red Owens Sports Complex in Easley and takes a winding path through downtown Easley, Liberty, Norris and Central before heading off to Clemson and Seneca. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
“The annual outpouring of support has brought community outreach and appreciation to heights that are rarely reached,” said Maj. Gen. M.A. Clark.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_195.jpg“The annual outpouring of support has brought community outreach and appreciation to heights that are rarely reached,” said Maj. Gen. M.A. Clark. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
Even four-legged residents turned up to wave and show their support.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_209.jpgEven four-legged residents turned up to wave and show their support. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
Families lined up and down Main Street in Easley.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_214.jpgFamilies lined up and down Main Street in Easley. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
Everybody — and we mean everybody — turned up to cheer on the Marines as they passed.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_218.jpgEverybody — and we mean everybody — turned up to cheer on the Marines as they passed. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
