Another Yemassee mural has been unveiled next to the historic Amtrak Station, commemorating the depot’s historic role in USMC recruiting, to those that passed through the depot, and to those who never returned.
The mural, dedicated to Gold Star Families and the historic train station, was created by the talent of local artist Sophie Docalavich and is called “The Folded Flag.”
“The Folded Flag was commissioned by local real estate agent Christina Reardon to recall the sacrifice of the gold star families who lost a loved one in combat,” its creator Docalavich says on her website.
The dedication of the Yemassee mural was held last Thursday.
The 48-foot-long artwork is installed along a fence that marks where the former barracks for the former Depot were located.
The train depot, now a stop on Amtrak’s Palmetto and Silver Meteor lines, saw over 500,000 recruits pass through on the way to Parris Island for basic training from 1915 to 1965.
“By far one of the most emotionally charged pieces I have ever been asked to create, the bugler and person presenting the flag are represented in ghostly shadow. The honor guard firing the customary funeral volleys are a little surreal with their stylized blue and white smoke. These choices were made to invite the viewer to put themselves in the place of a family member who lost a loved one, a haunting and nightmarish scenario.”
“The US and SC flags are also incorporated, not only tying the location in Yemassee to the thousands who passed through here on their journey to foreign fields of battle, but to represent the home for which these men were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.”
Yemassee was the first stop for many young recruits seeking to earn the title United States Marine. Recruits would arrive at the Yemassee train station before heading to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. Marines that fought in wars and conflicts spanning from WWI through Vietnam began their transformation at the train station.
In addition to the artist, speakers at the dedication included Mayor Colin Moore of Yemassee, Hampton County Councilman Clay Bishop and Master Sergeant J.L. Goodwin.
You can see Sophie Docalavich’s other murals here.
You can see the mural for yourself. The depot is located at 15 Wall St. in Yemassee, a 30 minute drive from Beaufort. Get directions here.
Read The history of Parris Island, Making Marines and impacting the world since 1915.
Read more local Beaufort SC news that matters.
