Chapin, South Carolina Prepares to Honor Veterans This Holiday Season

Chapin, South Carolina Prepares to Honor Veterans This Holiday Season

As the holidays approach in Chapin, the community is coming together to honor the brave men and women who served in the military. This year, American Legion Post 193, along with local churches and Boy Scout Troop 815, is launching a special project to remember the veterans buried right in our own backyards, especially those who might not get the recognition they deserve.

On December 14th, at noon, residents are invited to participate in placing wreaths at the graves of local veterans, in a heartfelt tribute called Wreaths Across America. This initiative aims to ensure that each veteran in Chapin gets a wreath, making sure that they are remembered and honored during this festive time.

A Special Tribute to Sgt. Freddie Haltiwanger Jr.

One veteran who stands out in the local community is Sgt. Freddie Haltiwanger Jr., who is remembered with great fondness by his family. He was not just another name on a monument; he was a brother, a son, and a friend. As a young Marine, Haltiwanger tragically lost his life during the infamous bombing in Beirut on October 23, 1983, which claimed the lives of 241 U.S. military personnel. His sister, Shirley Mitchell, recalls Freddie as “quiet, easygoing, and having a beautiful smile.”

“We were very close,” she reminisces, sharing a touching story about how he used to call her “D” because he couldn’t pronounce the “S” sound when they were kids. As the years went by, he followed his father’s footsteps into the military, but the family’s joy turned to heart-wrenching uncertainty when they didn’t hear from him during the height of the conflict in Lebanon. “We suffered from October 23rd to 31st because we did not know if he was alive or dead,” she explains. Sadly, that nightmare ended when they received his dog tags – a moment that will forever haunt her.

Community Comes Together for a Cause

This year, the Chapin American Legion is taking a step to rekindle the community’s memory and appreciation for the sacrifices made by veterans like Haltiwanger. They aim to honor not only him but hundreds of other local heroes resting in Chapin cemeteries. With the help of nine local churches and their veteran liaisons, wreath placements will bring a personal touch to those who served long ago and might otherwise be forgotten.

According to Steve Goulet, American Legion Post Adjutant, this project is about “remembering the fallen, honoring those who serve, and teaching the next generation the value of freedom.” Their efforts are more than just a few wreaths; they want to fulfill a promise to ensure that every grave of a veteran receives the attention it deserves.

How You Can Help

If you want to be part of this meaningful initiative, you can purchase wreaths for $17 each, with $5 going back to the organizations helping with this project. Some of the veterans’ graves date all the way back to the Revolutionary War! Retired Sgt. Major Gene Powell is one of the dedicated members selling these wreaths at the pumpkin patch outside Our Lady of the Lake on Amicks Ferry. Thanks to Bolin Boland’s Ace Hardware, storing the wreaths until the big day won’t be a hassle.

Shirley Mitchell hopes the community spirit of remembrance will keep her brother’s memory alive. “It’s painful that nobody seems to remember anymore,” she reflects. Many across Chapin feel similarly, knowing that every wreath placed on a grave is not just a decoration; it’s a sign of appreciation and remembrance for the lives lost and sacrifices made.

The opening ceremony on December 14th will take place between Our Lady of the Lake and Chapin Community Church, accessible from Broom Straw Rd. For more information, you can reach out to Steve Goulet at adjutant@americanlegionpost193.org. Let’s make sure the names of our local heroes resonate, not just this Christmas, but for many more to come.