Community Welcomes, Thanks Marines

Marines stopping in Easley on their way to rest and relaxation received a big welcome yesterday afternoon.

Local bikers, members of the Upstate Legends Jeep Club and others were on hand at the J.B. “Red” Owens Recreation Complex Monday afternoon to greet members of the Marine Corps Special Operations Command from Camp Lejejune, NC and members of the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment from Greenville.

The 41 Marines visiting Keowee Key will enjoy three and half days packed with activities, according to Jon Bachman, the chairman of this year's event.

“It's a fabulous for them and for everybody that comes out to say thanks and show their appreciation as well,” Bachman said.

This is the fifth year Keowee Key has hosted Marines, Bachman said.

“We've had over 180 Marines in a five-year period,” he said. “It's our opportunity to say thanks and say, 'On our behalf, we just want to show you America cares.' It's a small, little segment here in the Upstate but it's basically, we hope, representative of the entire nation . And these young men and women, when they go back, hopefully they'll say to their colleagues, 'We were well received, it was just awe-inspiring to be there.' We shower them with appreciation and thanks.”

“When they get off the bus at the top of the hill there and they look down and see this, that's pretty awe-inspiring right there,” Bachman said.

The motorcade traveled through Easley, Liberty, Norris, Clemson, Seneca before arriving at Duke World of Energy, where the Marines will meet their host families.

“We keep them very busy for two and a half more days,” Bachman said. “Put them on the bus Thursday and take them over to Clemson where they get a tour of the athletic department and Death Valley, then they get on the bus and go home.”

On Tuesday night, the town of Seneca will hold a Veterans Appreciation Night for the veterans.

“It's open to the public,” Bachman said. “The public has the opportunity has the opportunity to come out and say thank you and show their appreciation for their service.”

The motorcade is moving for all involved, Bachman said.

“When you see all the people out there waving flags, it's emotional,” Bachman said. “I've ridden in the motorcade, this'll be my fourth year and it's still emotional for me, to see all those people out there,” Bachman said.

The first event happened after a member of the Keowee Key community has having some therapy at the Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital.

“He was so thankful for the attention and care that he got that he basically said, 'There must be something I can do,' and lo and behold, they said, 'Yeah, we're looking at a water-skiing activity, maybe you can help us, you live on the lake.'”

The first year's event included members of the Wounded Warriors regiment. Afterward, Marines from Camp Lejeune got involved.

“That started bringing in active duty people ….at Camp Lejeune and it's grown,” Bachman said.

Each Marine stays with a host family of two, he said.

“The hosts enjoy it every bit as much as the Marines do,” Bachman said. “They're just overwhelmed with pride, being proud and being happy that they're able to do this. It's really a win-win situation. The Marine gets to be in a home where he is loved and cared for and fed and all the rest of that and the host family gets to bond with these young men and women.
The stay often leads to lasting friendships and close bonds.

Cindy Kelley, a member of the Upstate Legends Jeep Club, said this was her first year driving the Marines to Keowee Key.

“This is awesome,” Kelley said. “It's a very exciting. It's a lot of fun to get together with my Jeep friends and honor their service.”

The Upstate Legends does a lot of outreach. In addition to assisting with the motorcade, they've raised money for area organizations including the American Cancer Society, MARYS House and Country Santa.