16th South Carolina Volunteers
16th South Carolina Color Guard of Honor
The 16th South Carolina Color Guard of Honor, comprised of SCV members, serves as ambassadors to the community. The Color Guard embodies the virtues and principles of our ancestors that we honor; virtues and principles that are just as valid in the 21st Century as they were in 1861. The Color Guard provides a military honor guard for ceremonial occasions. The 16th South Carolina Color Guard of Honor carries the Unites States flag, the South Carolina flag, and the Confederate Battle flag. In addition, the Color Guard normally is flanked by members carrying rifles. The unit wears custom-made uniforms that are an impression of what a crack color guard unit would wear today if the South had won the War for Southern Independence.
The Color Guard participates in parades, historical events, funerals, opening ceremonies at civic events, and opening ceremonies for clubs and organizations. The Color Guard is open to any SCV member. You may contact the 16th South Carolina Color Guard of Honor through:
Sergeant Major Rossie Meadows, 864-505-1735
1st Sergeant Larry Guy, 864-288-5852, Lguy2383@yahoo.com
Photos of recent Color Guard events
16th South Carolina Color Guard of Honor on parade.
Confederate Memorial Day, Springwood Cemetery, 2008.
Weary Clyburn memorial service in Monroe, NC, during July 2008.
Cannon dedication at the Museum and Library of Confederate History in Greenville, 2009.
Color Guard providing the salute at Confederate Memorial Day, Springwood Cemetery, 2009.
Color Guard filing into position at the Confederate Memorial Day, Springwood Cemetery, 2009.
Canteen Ceremony
Often during memorial services the Color Guard will perform the Canteen Ceremony. As the War for Southern Independence wore on, the gallant soldiers of the Confederacy were deprived of many of the supplies needed to defend their homes. Often they fought in tattered uniforms and worn-out shoes with minimal food. During that time, the "Band of Brothers" concept emerged. The soldiers pledged to share everything they had, even down to the last drop of life-giving water in their canteens. The Canteen Ceremony recalls that pledge of sharing, as each member of the Color Guard takes a tiny sip from the same canteen. Water from the canteen is then poured on the grave of the soldier being memorialized, linking the departed soldier with those of the Color Guard pledging, "You are not forgotten!".
Passing the Canteen at a memorial service.
Pouring the Canteen at the memorial service for Weary Clyburn, a black confederate soldier who served in Company E of the 12th South Carolina Infantry Regiment.
Confederate flag presentations at memorial services.
Members of the Color Guard folding a Confederate flag for presentation to family members at the Weary Clyburn memorial.
16th South Carolina Color Guard of Honor on parade.
Confederate Memorial Day, Springwood Cemetery, 2008.
Weary Clyburn memorial service in Monroe, NC, during July 2008.
Cannon dedication at the Museum and Library of Confederate History in Greenville, 2009.
Color Guard providing the salute at Confederate Memorial Day, Springwood Cemetery, 2009.
Color Guard filing into position at the Confederate Memorial Day, Springwood Cemetery, 2009.
Canteen Ceremony
Often during memorial services the Color Guard will perform the Canteen Ceremony. As the War for Southern Independence wore on, the gallant soldiers of the Confederacy were deprived of many of the supplies needed to defend their homes. Often they fought in tattered uniforms and worn-out shoes with minimal food. During that time, the "Band of Brothers" concept emerged. The soldiers pledged to share everything they had, even down to the last drop of life-giving water in their canteens. The Canteen Ceremony recalls that pledge of sharing, as each member of the Color Guard takes a tiny sip from the same canteen. Water from the canteen is then poured on the grave of the soldier being memorialized, linking the departed soldier with those of the Color Guard pledging, "You are not forgotten!".
Passing the Canteen at a memorial service.
Pouring the Canteen at the memorial service for Weary Clyburn, a black confederate soldier who served in Company E of the 12th South Carolina Infantry Regiment.
Confederate flag presentations at memorial services.
Members of the Color Guard folding a Confederate flag for presentation to family members at the Weary Clyburn memorial.
Confederate Memorial Day, Springwood Cemetery, 2008.
Weary Clyburn memorial service in Monroe, NC, during July 2008.
Cannon dedication at the Museum and Library of Confederate History in Greenville, 2009.
Color Guard providing the salute at Confederate Memorial Day, Springwood Cemetery, 2009.
Color Guard filing into position at the Confederate Memorial Day, Springwood Cemetery, 2009.
Canteen Ceremony
Often during memorial services the Color Guard will perform the Canteen Ceremony. As the War for Southern Independence wore on, the gallant soldiers of the Confederacy were deprived of many of the supplies needed to defend their homes. Often they fought in tattered uniforms and worn-out shoes with minimal food. During that time, the "Band of Brothers" concept emerged. The soldiers pledged to share everything they had, even down to the last drop of life-giving water in their canteens. The Canteen Ceremony recalls that pledge of sharing, as each member of the Color Guard takes a tiny sip from the same canteen. Water from the canteen is then poured on the grave of the soldier being memorialized, linking the departed soldier with those of the Color Guard pledging, "You are not forgotten!".
Passing the Canteen at a memorial service.
Pouring the Canteen at the memorial service for Weary Clyburn, a black confederate soldier who served in Company E of the 12th South Carolina Infantry Regiment.
Confederate flag presentations at memorial services.
Members of the Color Guard folding a Confederate flag for presentation to family members at the Weary Clyburn memorial.
Passing the Canteen at a memorial service.
Pouring the Canteen at the memorial service for Weary Clyburn, a black confederate soldier who served in Company E of the 12th South Carolina Infantry Regiment.
Confederate flag presentations at memorial services.
Members of the Color Guard folding a Confederate flag for presentation to family members at the Weary Clyburn memorial.
Members of the Color Guard folding a Confederate flag for presentation to family members at the Weary Clyburn memorial.
