Waving flags greet wounded warriors arriving for outing at Keowee Key

Photo by Sefton Ipock

Lyn Norton and dozens of others wave flags at the corner of U.S. 123 and S.C. 130 in Seneca to welcome a group of wounded Marines to the area.

Photo by Sefton Ipock

Lyn Norton and dozens of others wave flags at the corner of U.S. 123 and S.C. 130 in Seneca to welcome a group of wounded Marines to the area.

Photo by Sefton Ipock

A motorcyclist escorting a group of wounded Marines waves to the crowd as the motorcade enters Seneca.

Photo by Sefton Ipock

Chad Durham, left, and other firefighters with the Seneca Fire Department attach a large flag to their ladder truck. The flag was hung over U.S. 123 Monday to welcome a group of injured Marines who will spend several days on Lake Keowee.

Photo by Sefton Ipock

A Marine waves to the crowd gathered at U.S. 123 and S.C. 130 as the shuttle carrying the wounded Marines arrives in Seneca.

Photo by Nathan Gray

Dozens of people lined the intersection of U.S. 123 and S.C. 130 in Seneca to welcome a group of injured Marines who will spend a few days this week recovering on Lake Keowee.

Photo by Nathan Gray

Dozens of people lined the intersection of U.S. 123 and S.C. 130 in Seneca to welcome a group of injured Marines who will spend a few days this week recovering on Lake Keowee.

Photo by Nathan Gray

Dozens of people lined the intersection of U.S. 123 and S.C. 130 in Seneca to welcome a group of injured Marines who will spend a few days this week recovering on Lake Keowee.

SENECA — More than 30 people gathered at the intersection of U.S. 123 and S.C. 130 this afternoon in Seneca to show their support for Marines wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Many of the supporters were dressed in patriotic-themed T-shirts and waved American flags. They sat on top of the stone Seneca sign and talked about how excited they were to see the Marines, despite the sweltering heat.

The motorcade included 31 Marines, therapists from the Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital in Greenville and the Marines’ escorts. Sponsored by the hospital and Keowee Key, the motorcade was a way to honor the wounded Marines. The Marines were brought to Keowee Key for an outing that will include golfing and water sports.

Lois Morgan, 61, of Seneca, brought her husband, Ronnie, and two nephews, Brayden and Logan Rochester. Ronnie Morgan is a Vietnam veteran who served in the 9th Infantry.

“With him being a fellow veteran I thought it’d be good for us to come and show support for those wounded in war,” Lois Morgan said. “We thought it’d be a good idea for the nephews, being young, to get some experience with a patriotic event.”

Brayden, 10, and his brother Logan, 7, paced around their aunt and uncle, waving their American flags.

Brayden Rochester said he was happy to be at the event, since if he wasn’t there, he’d be at home watching television or playing with his brother.

“I’m excited to see all the vets,” he said.

The motorcade was supposed to arrive at the intersection at 2:35 p.m., but it was delayed in traffic until 3:45 p.m.

The Rochesters, Morgans and other supporters didn’t seem to mind the heat and the wait. They spent the time meeting each other, discussing the federal stimulus bill, motorcycles and family members who were also serving. Two Marines greeted each other with “Semper fi” and a handshake.

A representative from Bi-Lo handed out American flags to those who didn’t have any, and two women walked around with a shopping cart of free water bottles for everyone.

The supporters stayed in place, eagerly checking down U.S. 123 for any sign of the motorcade. A cheer went up when the Seneca Fire Department raised the American flag over the rode.

“The veterans need all the support they can get,” Morgan said. “We need to let them know we appreciate their service to our country.”

Another supporter, 66-year-old Steve Taylor of Seneca, agreed.

“We’re just pleased that we are able to be here for the veterans and thank them for the sacrifice they gave for our freedom,” Taylor said.

The motorcade began with more than 30 motorcycles, all of the riders waving at the supporters with smiles on their faces. Then some fire trucks drove through, followed by a bus and several cars with “US Marines escort” written on the sides. The motorcade ended with more motorcycles and finished at Keowee Key.

Throughout the trip along S.C. 130 more supporters lined the roads, waving and waving their American flags.

Allen Funk, co-chairman of Honoring Their Service with Larry Druffel, said the Marines hadn’t known about the motorcade until it was actually happening. He said the Marines had been told they were picking up some comrades instead.

“Their reactions went from ‘Oh man, cool,’ to ‘I’ve never seen this before,’ to just quiet,” Funk said. “They appreciate it more than they can say, the visual affirmation of their duty.”

The Marines will stay at Keowee Key for most of the week, golfing, eating dinner at the country club, water skiing and more. The rehabilitation hospital has brought special adaptive equipment so the wounded Marines can water ski.

The hospital, along with businesses that donated funds, and Keowee Key are sponsoring the event. A highly motivated community, therapists from the hospital and the Marine Corps have been a “perfect fit” to put on the event, Funk said.

“It shows the character of the Upstate they care about their Marines in a very personal way,” he said. “By participating it’s a reaffirmation of all of our veterans, especially for Vietnam veterans who did not get this kind of welcome.”