The 210 who gave all

The key number heard in a Walhalla auditorium was 210.  That number represents Oconeeans who went abroad to war or conflicts and were killed.  Their names are etched on a statue that is part of the county’s military park in front of the courthouse.  Several of their names were called during yesterday’s memorial ceremony at the Center for the Performing Arts, including the name of Willie Johnson, a Vietnam casualty and someone keynote speaker Thomas Alexander knew from the senator’s childhood.  Other names were called by the state senate president who hammered the point that when it comes to patriotism South Carolina takes a seat behind no state.  Oconee lives were lost in every war starting with the First World War through the country’s longest war, Afghanistan.