Shortly after Memorial Day, Brothers from South Carolina and Georgia laid a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, DC. The ceremony concluded a weekend (June 6-8th) of family fun and sightseeing that included attendance at Dropkick Murphy’s Rally for Veterans on the National Mall, visits to several Smithsonian Museums, and a private tour of the the White House and US Capitol building coordinated by SC Senator Lindsay Graham’s congressional staff.
To conclude the weekend, the travel party which included State Vice President Greg Buehner, Greenville AOH Man of the Year Joseph Carey, South Carolina State President Kevin Barnes and Georgia State President and National Director Ryan Curry attended Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and were joined by Brendan Cooney, Veterans Chair of the Virginia State Board for the Changing of the Guard and the Wreath Laying Ceremony in Arlington, Va. As the AOH contingent stepped out for the wreath laying ceremony, a bout of misty Irish weather did not dampen our spirits, but served as a reminder that Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity is needed now more than ever. As a group we were honored to participate in the wreath laying and in some small way recognize the sacrifices of so many who fought for freedom and the rights we hold dear.
Special thanks to the Barnes and Buehner family, and to Kevin Barnes for coordinating the event and working with the White House, Senator Graham’s staff, and Arlington National Cemetery to make the weekend a memorable one for all involved.
