This information was sent to us from Rev. Billy Pinson, Pastor of Iva PH Church and M25 Director for the Upper South Carolina Conference.  Let's continue to pray for and honor our veterans and military serving around the world.  

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Lance Corporal William H. 'Billy' Crouse, IV was Killed In Action in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan on 21 DEC 10. While that is an accurate statement, it doesn't really describe what happened that day.

Billy and his K9 partner, Cane, were on point for a patrol. An improvised explosive device was remotely detonated with Billy almost on top of it. Billy and Cane were alive but both were badly hurt. Billy had lost both legs. But he was alive.

It wasn't long before a helicopter arrived. As he was being loaded onto the chopper, Billy woke up. "Where's Cane?" he wanted to know. They told him they needed to get him to an aid station quick and Cane would be taken care of. Billy told them to either bring his dog or leave them both. They loaded Cane.

Both were alive as the chopper took off. Neither were alive when the chopper landed. They died together in that bird, I'm told within seconds of each other. I'm also told that the last thing Billy said before he lost consciousness again was to Cane. "It's gonna be alright boy."

Billy Crouse was born in Indiana. The family moved to Laurens County SC when Billy was young. He grew up here. In 2006 Billy was the starting fullback for the Clinton High Red Devils football team. He was from Indiana but he talked with a Southern accent. This Marine was South Carolina's son too.

At the time of his death he had no family in South Carolina. It was right and proper for Billy to be buried near Fort Wayne, Indiana. Our brothers and sisters with the Indiana Patriot Guard did a fine job honoring Billy. One of his Clinton High friends attended and took with her a Palmetto State flag folded in a display case. That flag was South Carolina's way of saying......that boy is ours too.

And now there's another way.  Saturday evening there will be a memorial service held for Billy Crouse at Clinton High School. His friends, his community will come together and grieve for a fine young man who has been lost. The Patriot Guard has been asked to be there to honor Billy and, yes, to honor Cane. If you're available Saturday night, I ask you to join me.

SATURDAY 08 JAN 11

Staging Time: 1715 (5:15pm)

Staging Location: Clinton High School
18132 Hwy 72 E
Clinton SC 29325

Map: http://tinyurl.com/BillyCrouse

Briefing Time: 1730

Escort: None

Mission Description: Establish and hold flag line prior to and during
Memorial Service.

Mission Duration: Approximately 2 hours Ride Captain: Randy 'Steam' Stevens brstvns@yahoo.com 864-344-6002

Darkness will fall as this mission begins. There are plenty of deer in Laurens County. If you choose to ride, ride with caution. But I ask you to come and stand for Billy and his partner, the Marine called Cane.


Steam
Randy Stevens
South Carolina Senior Ride Captain
Patriot Guard Riders
www.patriotguard.org
864-344-6002