Crosses of Valor: Honoring Sacrifices of Edgefield Heroes
In Edgefield County, South Carolina, a profound tribute stands testament to local military heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. A Crosses of Valor initiative was born from an observation by Post 30 member John Pettigrew, Sr., of a small town in Georgia where crosses memorialized local service members Killed in Action (KIA) or held as Prisoners of War (POW). Pettigrew shared his idea with then Matthew McGinnis, Post 30 Commander in 2003 and again in 2008, sparking a mission ensuring that community heroes would never be forgotten.
Edgefield County Veteran Affairs Officer, John Rikard, helped to identify 79 KIA and POW service members. With Post 30’s encouragement, inmates from the Federal Correctional Institution in Edgefield constructed wooden crosses and painted and personalized them with the names and war conflicts of the KIA and POW service members. By Memorial Day 2004, the Edgefield Town Square became a sacred space for public display. Families, Legion members and residents gathered, united in solemn respect.
Original wooden crosses displayed every Memorial Day on Edgefield town square.
For many years the wooden crosses bore silent witness to community gratitude and a reminder of freedom's cost. As the wooden crosses weathered over time from the elements, welding students at Strom Thurmond High School in 2014-2015, guided by teacher Bill Cheatham, fabricated replacement metal crosses that are used today. On May 20, 2015, the students delivered and installed the newer gleaming crosses in solemn pride, replacing the wooden predecessors. The community witnessed this touching exchange, a mix of gratitude and hope as the legacy of remembrance grew stronger. The original wooden crosses were ceremoniously retired on April 21, 2016, at American Legion Post 30 as a poignant reminder of the lives they represented.
On October 4, 2020, the Veterans Memorial Park in Edgefield was dedicated, and on Memorial Day, May 31, 2021, the metal crosses found their permanent home there. Each year, for a week before and after Memorial Day, these stoic sentinels stand tall, reminding all who pass by of the heroes they represent. The Veterans Memorial Park offers a sanctuary for reflection, a symbol of the community's unwavering commitment. The shimmering crosses, gleaming under the southern sun, stand as a silent yet powerful declaration of gratitude and respect for KIA and POW service members of Edgefield County.
New metal crosses displayed every Memorial Day at Edgefield Veterans’ Memorial Park
The history of how these crosses came about is a beautiful narrative of community, remembrance, and unwavering dedication. It exemplifies the enduring American spirit and the profound impact a small town can have in preserving the memories of its heroes for generations. The transition from wood to metal signifies not a change in sentiment, but a steadfast reminder that the hearts of Edgefield County will forever cherish its KIA and POW service members.
Article and photos by Jane Doolittle