Organizers are seeking the public's help to finish funding the Graniteville fallen soldier's memorial.
The 1221st Engineer Route Clearance Company is holding a chicken dinner fundraiser Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. to raise money to support the cause.
"We are so close to meeting our goal, but there are still some final touches we need to add before officially dedicating this memorial," said Sgt. Frank Verant.
The dinner will be at the National Guard Armory in Graniteville located at 365 Bettis Academy Road, which also is where the memorial is located.
The memorial is 80 percent complete, according to Verant.
"We want people to see what we have been doing," said Verant. "We will be selling food until we are sold out."
The memorial is being built to honor three fallen soldiers, Cpl. Matthew Dillon, who was killed in action in 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; Sgt. Luther "Will" Rabon Jr. and Staff Sgt. Willie Harley who were both killed in action in 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
"These were really great guys, and we felt that they deserved a memorial," said Verant. "They mean a lot to us. This is justice for them and their families."
"This job is about paying the ultimate price if you have to, and I'd like to see that every new soldier that walks through here knows the sacrifices we go through," Verant said.
Donations can be made by writing checks payable to the 1221st Fallen Soldiers' Memorial and mailing them to the National Guard Armory at 365 Bettis Academy Road in Graniteville.
The memorial will be circular, 15 feet wide and made of brick, with a concrete overlay on top and flagpole in the center. A marble slab in the center will contain the names, pictures and biography of the three soldiers.
The chicken dinners are $7 for a breast dinner and $5 for a leg quarter dinner, and include two sides and a roll.
For large orders or more information, call 803-221-5201 or 803-292-6717.
Will Whaley is the crime and court reporter for the Aiken Standard. He is a native of Fayette, Alabama and graduated from the University of North Alabama.