News 12 at 6 o'clock, May 23, 2009

AIKEN, S.C.---It's always the last Monday in May, and it's always a day meant for honoring men and women in the military.

Saturday was the annual Marine Corps League Memorial Day parade in downtown Aiken.

Despite the rain, hundreds came to Aiken to show their support and to remember the fallen, the ones who've paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Memorial Day means something different to everyone. But just about all can agree the day is meant to give thanks.

"It's the land of the free because of the brave," says Ronnie Patterson.

"It it wasn't for these men and women who are serving and have served, we wouldn't be here today," says Cathy Short.

"We just can't thank them enough for what they have done for our country. I just feel very strongly about our veterans, care for them very much," says Onesta Carswell.

"Be grateful for all the men and women who've served this country some of whom have lost their lives," says Short.

"It's very moving, no question about it," adds Korean War Veteran Dave Cowfer.

For so many, Memorial Day is all about remembering. Especially for Onesta Carswell and her grandson Adam who are visiting Aiken to see someone special.

"Of course, I always think about my dad. He served in WWII," says Onesta.

"It's like a day where you go to see the people in your family that died in the war. I've never seen my great-great granddaddy's grave," says young Adam.

They wanted to salute our troops, both at home and overseas.

"This is remembering those men who gave their lives," says Cowfer.

"I am very, very grateful for what each and every one of them did," says Short.

It's a parade, that means so much more. "To me, this is America's day and we need to come out and show our support for the men who are serving," says Cowfer.

"It's just a small way to say, thank you," adds Short. "It means everything," says Cowfer.

Some other Memorial Day Events Include:

Sunday, May 24:

-Newberry, SC: At 3:00 p.m. the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 219 will have it's annual Memorial Day service at Memorial Park in downtown Newberry.

-Newberry, SC: At 5:00 p.m., American Legion Post 24 and the Legion Auxiliary Unit 24 will hold their annual Memorial Day Service at the Post Headquarters off Highway 34, just past Newberry Inn.

Monday, May 25:

-Augusta, GA: Memorial Day Ceremony at the Georgia War Veterans Home in the Courtyard begins at 9:00 a.m.

-Augusta, GA: Augusta's Memorial Day Observance and Ceremony will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the All Wars Monument located at 4th and Broad Streets.

-Grovetown, GA: Bellevue Memorial Gardens will hold their annual Memorial Day Service beginning at 10:00 a.m. They are located at 4501 Wrightsboro Road in Grovetown.

-Barnwell, SC: Vietnam Veterans of America Salkehatchie Chapter #828 will be holding their Memorial Day Service beginning at 10:00 AM and lasting approx. 1 hour. It will be held at Veterans Memorial Park, Highway 278 west of Barnwell near the Barnwell County Airport.

-Blackville, SC: The American Legion Post 253 at Edward's Heating and Cooling starting at 11 a.m. Immediately following that program, the crowd can step next door for the "Flanders Field" event occurring next to the First Baptist Church of Blackville. A field of crosses will be planted in the yard next to the church. Each cross will represent a Barnwell County resident that died during a U.S. war or conflict.

-Evans, GA: The Augusta Concert Band presents a Memorial Day Tribute Concert on the beautiful Savannah River at the Jessye Norman Amphitheatre beginning at 7:00 p.m.

-Hilda, SC: Memorial Day concert and community sing-along. The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. at the Hilda depot.

-Millen, GA: The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Post 2776 will host a dedication program for the recently placed monument honoring the Jenkins County Heroes killed in WW I, WW II, Korea, and Vietnam. The program will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, Memorial Day on the courthouse square.