Group has secured 1,450 veterans' pictures, but wants all 12,000

More than 1,400 pictures of veterans were featured in a 2016 Veterans Day program honoring county residents for their military service.

While this sounds like many photos, it only scratches the surface towards a goal by veteran groups to ensure there is a picture for all 12,000 veteran names currently engraved in the Cherokee County Veterans Appreciation Park. About 1,450 pictures have been added to the program book over the past two years through outreach efforts by various county veterans groups.

"However, when one considers there are over 12,000 veterans names on the walls at the Veterans Park, this is only around 12 percent of all the Cherokee County veterans," Cherokee County Veterans Park Committee member Robert Little said.

Families can bring pictures of veterans in their military uniform to the Veterans Affairs office in the county administration building. Pictures will be scanned at the Cherokee County Veterans Affairs Office and returned.

"We consider 2016 to be a successful year with the 800 pictures (obtained this year), but we consider this to only be a start," Little said. "The challenge we have is the lack of World War I and World War II veterans' pictures since most of these veterans are now deceased, and also many of their family members are deceased or no longer live in this area."

Pictures will be published in the annual Veterans Day program book this fall. Proceeds from the program book help with maintenance at the Cherokee County Veterans Park. The park was established by the county in 2010 to ensure all Cherokee County military personnel are honored for their bravery and sacrifice.

Pictures will be accepted for the 2017 Veterans Day book until June 1. For more information, contact the Cherokee County Veterans Affairs Office at (864) 487-2579.