The McGowan Camp has actively pursued the restoration
and replacement of a number of graves of Laurens County Confederate veterans
over the past several years. Initially, this was the vision and hard
work of McGowan Camp compatriot, Cliff McKinney. Cliff, who remains
a member of Camp 40 however, lives in Orangeburg and is unable to attend
regular functions in Laurens. His work, though, has continued to progress
in the recording of the resting places of just about all South Carolina Confederate
Veterans buried throughout the State.
During the past several years, the Camp has placed several hundred VA markers on the graves of the more than 1800 Laurens County soldiers and at present, we still have about 100 in inventory, which are in dire need of placement.
It is time to resurrect our Camp project and see that these veterans have suitable markers to preserve their memory. In order to regain our momentum and reestablish the program, we need a “Champion” to take the lead.
At the June McGowan Camp meeting, two such champions stepped forward. South Carolina Division Commander Robert Roper volunteered to accept the camp position of Guardian Committee Chairman upon the completion of his State Division Command next spring. Commander Roper has been an integral part of the cemetery project since its inception and
During the past several years, the Camp has placed several hundred VA markers on the graves of the more than 1800 Laurens County soldiers and at present, we still have about 100 in inventory, which are in dire need of placement.
It is time to resurrect our Camp project and see that these veterans have suitable markers to preserve their memory. In order to regain our momentum and reestablish the program, we need a “Champion” to take the lead.
At the June McGowan Camp meeting, two such champions stepped forward. South Carolina Division Commander Robert Roper volunteered to accept the camp position of Guardian Committee Chairman upon the completion of his State Division Command next spring. Commander Roper has been an integral part of the cemetery project since its inception and
possesses all the natural skills of leadership
and determination to complete any assignment entrusted upon him.
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| David Tillman |
Robert H. Roper, III |
David Tillman, a long time McGowan Camp member
and always active on the cemetery workdays, has a mutual love for the caring
of our Confederate Veterans.
With nearly a year away from Commander Roper’s term of office, David immediately seeing the need and hearing the call, has accepted the position of Camp Guardian Chairman to commence within 30 days. He will begin the planning and implementation of a unified effort to get our Camp Guardian Program back on track. He needs your help.
This provides an excellent opportunity for many McGowan Camp members to enlist in the South Carolina Division Guardian Program. The 2-year interim as Guardian Pro-tem is carefully monitored and reviewed by the Division Guardian Committee and its Chairman, E.M. Clark. Please consider the part each of you can have in this caring and important task and let’s get behind our Camp Guardian Chairman, David Tillman.
With nearly a year away from Commander Roper’s term of office, David immediately seeing the need and hearing the call, has accepted the position of Camp Guardian Chairman to commence within 30 days. He will begin the planning and implementation of a unified effort to get our Camp Guardian Program back on track. He needs your help.
This provides an excellent opportunity for many McGowan Camp members to enlist in the South Carolina Division Guardian Program. The 2-year interim as Guardian Pro-tem is carefully monitored and reviewed by the Division Guardian Committee and its Chairman, E.M. Clark. Please consider the part each of you can have in this caring and important task and let’s get behind our Camp Guardian Chairman, David Tillman.
Commander Simpson
Before (Samuel Simpson Robuck)
Bethel Church Cemetery – Woodruff, SC
After (Samuel Simpson Robuck)
New Head Stone and restored Southern Cross
Bethel Church Cemetery – Woodruff, SC
After (Samuel Simpson Robuck)
New Head Stone and restored Southern Cross