An inglorious mess
Fed up with trash left behind, officials ready to crack down
By Schuyler Kropf
Photo Gallery
Morris Island
Groups of boaters converge on Cummings Point every weekend to spend time on its beach.
Previous stories
Folly weighs ban in wake of beer litter cleanup, published 07/07/09
Volunteers turn out to pick up litter after holiday weekend crowds left behind a mess that shocked residents, officials, published 07/10/09
MORRIS ISLAND — This might be where the Civil War was fought, but today's invaders are more likely to be armed with six-packs and dressed in bathing suits.
A quarter-mile stretch of high ground called Cummings Point, just beyond the shadow of Fort Sumter, has evolved into a weekend party haven where beer is consumed by the caseload, dogs run free and the girls sometimes go wild.
Problem is, some visitors don't seem much interested in cleaning up their mess afterward.
July Fourth weekend was the worst.
"It was one huge frat party," said local marine scientist Elizabeth Wenner.
Boats? "We stopped counting at 384," she said.
Crowd size? More than 1,500 people, she guessed.
Skin? One of the larger vessels featured an open-air exotic dancer's pole.
Wenner isn't against fun. It's just that all those snack wrappers, beach chairs and beer cans visitors carried in on the Fourth of July were still there July 5, scattered across the dunes or left to float in the marsh.
One ecologically minded group picked up at least 30 bags of trash after the party was over. Their haul included stacks of broken foam coolers. There were also reports of DJs and vendors coming in offering drinks, hamburgers and burritos for sale.
Don't even get started about cigarette butts.
Fact is, Cummings Point, historic site or not, is where fun reigns supreme — more than any other local boat-beach spot around. Charleston owns most of that part of the island, buying it last year in a preservation deal.
But the goal of keeping the island clean and pristine is getting overshadowed by the weekend partiers, while various water patrol agencies have been strapped to cover an increasingly dangerous Charleston Harbor.
That's about to change. Fed-up with the holiday reports, local police authorities and the state wildlife department plan to crack down. Signs could go up as soon as this week warning against dogs running loose, alcohol consumption and fireworks, just like in every park in the city limits.
"The basic 'no-no' signs," said Lt. Chip Searson of Charleston's police harbor patrol.
Police are looking at using undercover officers to make littering and alcohol cases, a ticket that can prove expensive with fines up to $520 and 40 hours of community service.
Some visitors just don't realize the historical value of where they are, Searson said.
Though the island's footprint has shifted greatly since the Civil War, Morris Island is where Fort Wagner once stood.
It housed Confederates protecting Charleston Harbor and was attacked by the all-black 54th Massachusetts regiment famously depicted at the end of the film "Glory."
Blake Hallman, of the Morris Island Coalition, said there's a precedent for officials stepping in to police Charleston-area boat destinations that get out of hand.
He pointed out a case on Capers Island, north of Dewees Island near Bulls Bay. On Capers, authorities went undercover, made arrests and brought back a sense of responsibility.
Visitors to Morris Island on Saturday were mixed on whether a law enforcement crackdown is needed. Some said the problems only occur during the summer's "Big Three" holidays — Memorial, Independence and Labor days.
"It's not so much the locals, it's the tourists who are leaving the trash," said Glenn Brown, of James Island, as he relaxed with a cold beverage in his hand.
"Obviously it's coming from out of town," added his buddy, Jay Edgerton of Mount Pleasant.
Claudette Humbert, who said she represents senior visitors, said more policing is needed, pointing to the cussing and the heavy drinking that goes on.
"You wonder how in the world some of them are going to get back" to marinas and boat landings, she said.
John Maurillo of Hanahan said more policing is just recreational overkill by the government and that most people behave themselves.
By 1 p.m. Saturday, there were about 40 boats anchored on the Cummings Point beach. Signs of discarded trash were few, while some dogs ran wild and sausages and hot dogs cooked on a portable grill.
The biggest sightseeing draw included a bachelorette party of girls in matching bikinis displaying an X-rated blow-up novelty and a vendor riding a personal watercraft calling herself the "Burrito Babe," selling burritos for $6 each.
She produced a business license from Mount Pleasant, but not one from the city of Charleston, which governs the island.
Wenner, the marine scientist, said the issue is not cutting off access to the island but trying to instill a dose of simple courtesy, common sense and protection for Cummings Point for future generations.
"If they want to pack it in, let them take it out with them," she said of the garbage offenders. "It's our responsibility not to leave that place trashed."
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sardis12 (anonymous) says...
So how does one sell a burrito from a personal watercraft?
July 12, 2009 at 4:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GAL2000 (anonymous) says...
That last picture in the file reel, takes the "cake"...how sloppy, and disgusting.
Every picture had alcohol and cigarette butts. Classic real classic!
Words cannot discribe for what I would like to mention.
July 12, 2009 at 5:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pullmyfinger (anonymous) says...
Come on Charleston!! Take your thrash with you!
If you continue to leave your thrash Mayor Joe will shut down the fun machine again like he shut down St. Patrick's day. Joe will tell you when you can party and now where you can party. Its like he is your old old nosy next door neighbor who yells at kids "get out my yard"
Please dont let Joe and his cronies ruin the fun.
Keep it clean!!!!!!!
July 12, 2009 at 7:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
It is a lovely place, sorry that the few will ruin it for the many. I don't buy the excuse that it is the outsiders that are doing the littering - just look around Charleston - there is trash every where.
July 12, 2009 at 7:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollnwflo (anonymous) says...
We stopped going years ago when in became evident that this was no place for kids. We would camp out on the weekend of the fourth, which worked fine, all the drunks left before the fireworks show started. Some people can't drink and behave, the cursing was load and continous, even with small children around. We got tired of packing our trash and everyone else's trash as well.
July 12, 2009 at 7:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
Oh no!!!! Now they're messing with the Burrito Babe!!!! I think she has a great idea. She travels to Rockville and some have seen her up as far as Goat Island.
July 12, 2009 at 8:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
We go there occasionally but I am with ROLLMWFLO.....not the most kid-friendly place to go.
I am surprised the article doesn't address the issue of all the under-aged drinking and drug use on the island.
The dogs aren't really a problem except on a really high tide when there is only a small stretch of beach for them to roam.
Not my first choice of destinations. I doubt those who are trashing it even know what the Post and Courier is to bother reading about the problems they are creating for themselves and others. Little Joe will surely find a way to put a stop to all the fun!!!
Pack it in, Pack it out!! We do!!
July 12, 2009 at 8:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
maeko (anonymous) says...
burrito babe has got a great idea. kudos!
wow, that is a lot of trash in the last pic. there was a trash can, i think, somewhere in the foreground. it was that cardboard kind? if so, trash barrels that are clearly marked might help. looks like there was some attempt to trash and trash bags near the trash can....
i am surprised that there isn't a beach patrol if thery know all those people are there drinking. isn't that water notoriously dangerous? i'm quite sure there are a lot of drugs and underage drinkers. maybe the city can raise the upkeep revenue in the fines. it doesn't have to be "family friendly", but it should be moderately safe.
i was invited the other weekend, but declined. too much chaos with props and boats and drinking. makes me anxious and is asking for trouble.
July 12, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eds777 (anonymous) says...
First, the newspaper needs to deal with the truth of what Lincoln started at Sumter! The War may be called "the War Between the States", or more accurately, the "War of Northern Aggression" or the "War for Southern Independence", but it was hardly a civil war, at least not by the accepted definition of a civil war. A wrong start always produces a wrong finish!
Second, the public ALWAYS must be taught how to care for a beach, even the public in Charleston. Not ALL people are self-centered and lazy, but enough are to ruin things for the rest. Check with the City of Va. Beach, VA to learn how they police MILES of public beach! By the way, it's not free!
July 12, 2009 at 8:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chucktonian (anonymous) says...
people that litter in the lowcountry? lock 'em up. it's time for huge fines and arrests. let these alcoholics rot in jail for 30 days while they think about cleaning up after themselves. filthy animals.
July 12, 2009 at 9:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oldglory (anonymous) says...
I'm confused. The pictures show mainly boats/boaters. Does that mean all 'outsiders' have boats and the locals have none? I would have thought the boats indicated 'locals' and/or 'South Carolinians'?
And why on holidays wouldn't the town/county/state provide barrels and trucks for clean-up? Why wouldn't everything be banned on the beach, maybe even people? That way the beach would remain pristine :) (Of course, 'slobs' can't be banned, because they have money to spend.)
Don't get me wrong now--I don't live like a pig, nor would I be in the company of such pigs. Does that make me biased?
July 12, 2009 at 9:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
woodrob12 (anonymous) says...
It must be the same out of towners and others "from off" who turn our intersections into their ashtrays.
July 12, 2009 at 9:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
Locals never ever, remember this NEVER ever do any wrong, it's always someone elses fault. The Compost and worthless fishwrapper strikes again.
July 12, 2009 at 9:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gringolandia (anonymous) says...
I know for a fact that many of those that go to Morris Island know it's wrong to litter and are bothered by it. These folks need to step up and call out the littering pigs. This would help solve the problem. Also, there would be less trash if we could ban folks from Goose Creek, Monck's Corner, etc. Sad but true.
July 12, 2009 at 9:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yeahright (anonymous) says...
People suck.
July 12, 2009 at 9:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justafan (anonymous) says...
Have a couple areas fenced off where garbage can be put then have the SC Dept. of Corrections provide a couple of thier finest on July 5th to empty them. There is no where to put your trash currently. If you bring it back with you to the landing there is nowhere to put it and if you take it home with you you run the chance of getting busted by one the local yokels for having it in your car.
People are running out of places to have a little fun around here. Pretty soon they will be banning smoking in these areas.
Undercover police? There has got to be better things for thest guys to do!
July 12, 2009 at 10:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dellwebb (anonymous) says...
The one thing that really disgusts me more than anything is cigarette butts left on the beaches. Smokers, the beach is not your personal ashtray! Stats show about 20 percent of the people smoke yet leave the beach a mess for the other 80-percent.
Get your butts off the beach!!!! And you people wonder why folks want to crackdown on smoking?!
July 12, 2009 at 10:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rcornelius2160 (anonymous) says...
Red Riviera Trashed By Locals & Visitors - I think I saw Glenn Brown and Jay Edgerton on the beach July 4th they were the two guys with the banner that read "Happiness is a Yankee Free Charleston". These two guys are quoted in the Post & Courier, blaming visitors for the mess left on Cumming's Point. To say it's the out-of-towners and visitors that trashed Cummings Point is like saying the south won the War of Northern Aggression.
Secondly, I was shocked when I read the story that appeared in the Post & Courier. Although I would rather beach my boat elsewhere, my wife and daughter enjoy the frat party atmosphere that exists on Morris Island. As visitors of Cummings Point we pack out everything we take in (including cigarette butts) it's very disturbing that not all are responsible enough to clean up after themselves. In addition to the large amount of trash left behind, there are people who allow their dogs to defecate in the water. Two weeks ago I watched a dog defecate in the water directly in front where we were sitting. The owner's response was "hey, dog's will be dog's", as he proceeded to walk away. I immediately informed the dog's owner that he needed to pick-up the feces and remove it from the water the owner was shocked and responded "are you kidding?" I informed him that I was not kidding and handed him a plastic bag. He removed the feces and proceeded to place the bag of feces nest to my beach chair, apologizing for leaving the dog feces with me. I informed him that he now owned the bag of feces and need o take it with him again, he was shocked and again responded with "are you kidding"? I was not kidding a bit and if flogging was legal I would have nominated this guy to be flogged at White Point Gardens for being stupid. By the way, this guy was a local grew up on Johns Island and lives in Mount Pleasant! To say it not locals that are trashing Cummings Point is like saying the south won the War of Northern Aggression. Having lived in the Low Country for only 9 years I may not be considered a local but it's should be no surprise that 80% of the boats that frequent Cumming's Point are displaying either Clemson or USC flags I'll bet they are locals. What classifies someone as a visitor or a non-local? I wouldn't be surprised if Glenn Brown and Jay Edgerton are not locals. They may live here now but were probably born and raised elsewhere. In order to curtail and hopefully prevent patrons from leaving their trash behind on Cumming's Point I recommend that DNR assign officers to patrol (on foot and ATV) Cumming's Point. North Carolina has DNR officers patrolling its Red Neck Rivera's, why can't the Low Country do the same maybe Glenn Brown and Jay Edgerton would volunteer to patrol the beach! The bottom line is that it is irresponsible people that are trashing Cumming's Point, not locals or non-locals. Put law enforcement on the beach and I'm sure we'll see a difference.
Bob
July 12, 2009 at 10:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dellwebb (anonymous) says...
People are running out of places to have fun?! No, justafan, they are tired of idiots and smucks who think the universe revolves around themselves and want to curse and drink all day long with no regard to other people. As for your comment about no where to put the trash...THEN TAKE IT WITH YOU!!! You brought it in, pal.
Ohhhhh myyyyy, big bad Uncle Joe is gonna ruin the fun of these dummies who are too stupid to pick up after themselves. Waahhhhhhhh. Sound like a bunch of middle schoolers complaining because they can't do whatever they chose.
July 12, 2009 at 10:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
downtownguy (anonymous) says...
God forbid anyone have any fun. And how dare someone operate a business without approval from the government? The government has to stop this nonsense. If the Confederates would have known what would happen, they would have never bothered to fight the war. The Yankees won and what we got was a government that constantly breathes down our necks.
July 12, 2009 at 10:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RedfishRunner (anonymous) says...
The only idiots bigger than the ones doing this are the ones who don't stop them. As you might see from my user name, I spend a lot of time on the local waterways as a sportsman, and all of my trash returns to the boat landing with me. It's actually very simple for anyone with a brain. The people trashing our environment are pathetic.
July 12, 2009 at 10:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justafan (anonymous) says...
Dellweb, these people are on an uninhabited island having some adult fun. They go out there to get away from bothering people like yourself.
If you don't like it stay on the on the IOP where there are laws against having fun and cans to put your garbage in.
July 12, 2009 at 10:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
americanheretic (anonymous) says...
The dirty ole Yankees have struck again! sic the Lord on -em. They go all over town,throwing big bags of trash everywhere,make them go back to the United States!
July 12, 2009 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CedarPosts (anonymous) says...
I look at those photos of that mass of human flesh wallowing along the beach.
Stuffing their faces with burritos and swelling their bellies with beer.
The colorful floaties and inner tubes bobbing in the surf and all I hear is the sound of the Jaws theme music.
Daaaummm Daaaummm Daaaummm dummm dummm dummm....
July 12, 2009 at 11:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yeahright (anonymous) says...
Idiots like justafan are why the government always has to get involved. Because most people are too stupid to do the right thing.
July 12, 2009 at 11:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justafan (anonymous) says...
yeahright, the government has a history of getting involved and doing the right thing? Give me a break. All i'm asking for is a couple fenced in areas to put your trash in.
If that is too much to ask so be it.
July 12, 2009 at 11:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yeahright (anonymous) says...
And who's going to give you your fences? Uh, the GOVERNMENT, maybe? Pack your own damn trash.
July 12, 2009 at 11:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
We pack our trash and take it home all the time. Even when we find a place to dispose of trash, we still usually have to carry our recycling home. It's hardly rocket science. It usually has to go all the way home and into the family trash can. We also plan to limit the amount trash we generate, getting rid of excess packaging before we leave home. There is little point to taking out and bringing it back.
What we need is a local effort where people who litter end up on volunteer video which is judged and then a weekly post of the worst offenders with the videos is made available to the media and online. That should be humiliating enough to discourage most of it and the video would be handy evidence for police agencies.
South Carolina has a culture of littering. It's worse here than most places. At one time, when most of it was biodegradable, it didn't matter much, but with higher peopulation densities and more durable litter, things are different now.
While local news outlet wants to start collecting video?
July 12, 2009 at 12:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justjerry (anonymous) says...
It does suck that people are not picking up their trash and hopefully those who go there and do the right thing can remind those who are messing up the island to do the same. Some visits and citations from SC Dept of Wildlife along with some big trash cans would probably help out as well.
On the other hand, I am glad that the City of Charleston has eliminated all of the other crime within it's jurisdiction and can now start going after litterbugs. This gives me the confidence I need to walk down America Street with a big wad of cash in my pocket. Maybe after they finish this crack down they can get after people playing poker and yhatzee in their homes.
July 12, 2009 at 12:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Ethan57 (anonymous) says...
Why does everything have to be reduced to a North/South issue? I've seen amazing displays of trash along and on the highways of SC. Furniture, mattresses, even a fridge fully upright in the middle lane on 26. Once on 526, a crib mattress became airborn from the bed of a pickup and flew 100 feet in the air and came crashing down in the lane next to me like Dorothy's house in the Wizard of Oz. On 10 occasions I've witnessed these items tumble onto the roadway from the back of a "shouldn't even be on the road" pickup with Confederate flag stickers pasted on the back window. Not to imply any political bias - there's been enough of that already in this thread - but to me that just screams "local". It appears that many people have no idea how to secure their loads to their vehicles or simply don't care about the safety of others. I'm sure there is a healthy mix of people from all corners of the US responsible for making a mess. To confine that to one group is ignorant. It comes down to 2 words: Prove it.
July 12, 2009 at 1:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
High_Gravity (anonymous) says...
"It's not so much the locals, it's the tourists who are leaving the trash," said Glenn Brown, of James Island, as he relaxed with a cold beverage in his hand.
"Obviously it's coming from out of town," added his buddy, Jay Edgerton of Mount Pleasant.
-------
Jay and Glenn, give me a break. Both of you know good and well that most of the people that go out to Morris Island are locals. I don't know too many tourists that come in from out of town, decide to rent a center console with an anchor and spend the afternoon out at Morris. We go there to get away from tourists. Blaming it on the tourists worked for the Folly situation last week. It is mostly locals at Morris Island. If there is a tourist out there, they were brought there by a local.
July 12, 2009 at 1:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JLake (anonymous) says...
I thought the article was over the top and an invasion on a good time....then I saw the Gamecocks flag....whew, they are right, what a Godforsaken dump that place must be on the weekends.
July 12, 2009 at 2:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rmthompson (anonymous) says...
Basically people will have to hit international waters to escape the Gestapo tactics of Joe Riley and Greg Mullen. They are too inept to control what goes on in the peninsula and elsewhere in the city, so I guess now they want to find some small victory by racking up some cash through ticket revenue out on these islands. FYI, if you ever wonder why officers are writing tickets for non-sense these days, it's because ol'chip searson and the powers that be at that department, threaten to punish officers that don't have high enough ticket counts. DNR can handle the problem, we don't need CPD out there. On those major holiday weekend the city can just deposit areas for trash and send a few people out there in the afternoons to collect it.
July 12, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justafan (anonymous) says...
rmthompson, keep talking like that and people will be calling you a yankee
July 12, 2009 at 4:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCHoser (anonymous) says...
So now government has to even clean up after people? Now that's just lazy! They are responsible enough to buy a boat and all the goodies, but can't clean up...how sad.
July 12, 2009 at 6:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
rcornelius.....just think...your plastic bag full of dog feces is floating freely or dragging bottom now....
Please!!
July 12, 2009 at 7:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
Pack it in, pack it out!!
Someone's post, I'm afraid, hit the nail on its drunken head!! Some folks would probably like to bring their trash back in the boat with them but are afraid of carrying all the open containers around. You run the risk of being stopped on the water and if you dodge that bullet you could be stopped for DUI on the road trailering home.
If THAT is your fear of taking your trash with you then you should NOT be on the water....
Stay home and drink or figure out how to get home with the open containers...
July 12, 2009 at 7:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mkris (anonymous) says...
Seek out the litter makers. Catch them littering.
Fine them and then confiscate thier boat.
I'd bet three boats lost that way and there won't be any litter on the beach.
July 12, 2009 at 7:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gringolandia (anonymous) says...
Another option to help with trash on the beach is to ban redneck locals. Not all locals, just the redneck locals that leave 12-pk boxes and fried chicken from bojangles and old coolers.
There are some from JI, West Ashley, however the worst offenders hail from Goose Creek and Green Pond and Hanahan.
July 12, 2009 at 8:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Duchess (anonymous) says...
I saw 1st hand some pics of what went on and it was like one hellva frat party with underage drinking, stripper poles and what you would expect out of a girls gone wild beach party. I'm sure the DNR had thier hands and eye full!LOL! But what can ya do other than piss allot of rich lil young people off by banning a good time?? How many injuries or drownings were reported is the main thing? Safe fun is one thing and a bunch of crazy unlawful renegades is another.
July 12, 2009 at 9:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
starbelle4 (anonymous) says...
For all of you that say the worst offenders hail from Goose Creek... I am personally from Goose Creek and so are our friends... we have visited a couple times this year and to beg the differ with you we take our trash with us. We bring our own garbage bag and take our own bag back with us. So you cant say that if you are from some area that the other areas in the town arent just as responsible. That is so sterotypical of you that you are trash to begin with.
July 12, 2009 at 9:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rcornelius2160 (anonymous) says...
Great comment, Shoelaces - you are probably the person who thought it was ok to leave dog feces floating in the water where people were swimming.
July 12, 2009 at 9:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tides (anonymous) says...
Simple solution that will instill more respect for the law we have regarding litering, LOCK THE VIOLATORS UP!
July 12, 2009 at 10:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WSM (anonymous) says...
rmhompson: " DNR can handle the problem, we don't need CPD out there. On those major holiday weekend the city can just deposit areas for trash and send a few people out there in the afternoons to collect it."
_______________________________________________
Yes, I fail to see how the City of Charleston needs to spend its already stretched law enforcement assets doing DNR's job. The answer: Ticket money. Plain and simple.
I gar-un-tee a few DNR boats may not stop the problem, but will help put some control on the litter, BUI, and rowdiness.
As for what people from what region is responsible, who the hell cares? The fact is that it is happening right here in Charleston harbor, on a graveyard! Think about it, people! That's the final resting place for several thousands of someones' children who died a brutal, violent death.
July 12, 2009 at 10:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
rcorn.....I don't have a dog :)
I can assure you we packed all of our trash in the boat yesterday and have disposed of it properly.....no poop, though.
July 13, 2009 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mlemon2 (anonymous) says...
On July 17, 2009 the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Company I, a Civil War Reenactment Unit of Charleston, South Carolina will commemorate the soliders and the Historic Assault on Battery Wagner at 3:00 pm. Morris Island is of high historical importance to South Caroina and the United States. Its presevation has been top priority for the members of the 54th Massachusetts, as well as for others who believe in or have a stake in the presevation of history. We are a non profit charitable organization dedicated to the education of the public and presevation of the memory of soliders of the Civil War. We usually conduct the ceremony on July 18, every year, but due to the "recreational" visitors on Morris Island, changed our date to July 17 this year (July 18 is Saturday). I hope and pray the authorities will ensure that the sacred moments we spend on Morris Island this Friday are not disrupted due to "recreational visitors". I also hope and pray that Morris Island will someday have the respect and honor awarded to other historical sites in this area.
Marlene Lemon
July 13, 2009 at 4:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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