Allen Funk, a resident of Spinnaker Cove, contracted Guillain-Barré syndrome.
He was transported to Roger C. Peace (RCP) Rehabilitation Hospital in Greenville, and
over time, he made a full recovery. He credited the excellent care he received at RCP
for his progress. While there, he also formed many friendships with several therapists.

Upon returning home in 2008, Allen told his neighbors about the hospital’s strong
capabilities in helping people with disabilities enjoy recreational activities using adaptive
sports equipment. He specifically mentioned their success helping disabled children
water ski, though efforts to adapt the program for injured Marines had been less
successful. Inspired, he encouraged Spinnaker Cove residents to find ways to make
Keowee Key’s amenities available to support future rehabilitation efforts for Marines.


Interest in the idea grew within the community. Allen approached neighbor Larry Druffel,
a retired USAF Lt. Col, to help organize the effort. They consulted with senior leadership
at RCP and Charlie Hall of Upstate Warrior Solutions (UWS), a former Marine Corps
officer. Charlie connected them with a group of wounded Marines from the Wounded
Warrior Brigade at Camp Lejeune, and the idea of hosting them at Keowee Key began
to take shape.

Charlie’s father-in-law, Maj. Gen. Mastin Robeson, was then commander of Marine
Special Operations Command (MARSOC). When Charlie shared the plan, General
Robeson offered his support, which helped move the initiative forward. The core
planning group, based in Spinnaker Cove, also included Tim Callahan, a former Marine
and Keowee Key resident.

By the spring of 2009, a plan was developed to bring the Marines to Keowee Key for
four days of rest and relaxation (R&R). Half stayed in donated Tall Ship condominiums, and the other half stayed in private homes, mostly with Spinnaker Cove residents. Community members with expertise in tennis, golf, watercraft, fishing, and hiking volunteered to help coordinate activities. A chartered bus transported 20 Marines to Easley, where they were met by Keowee Key volunteers and a law enforcement escort. Seven additional Marines flew into Greenville late at night from the MARSOC unit at Camp Pendleton, California. The California group had been ordered to pack formal uniforms for an unknown destination and arrived in low spirits. Thanks to Mike Tarman, a Spinnaker Cove resident and Chief of TSA at Greenville Airport, greeters were allowed onto the tarmac to welcome them. This warm reception quickly lifted their mood. By the time they reached Keowee Key near midnight, the Marines were in good spirits and settled into their host homes.

RCP therapists and representatives from UWS were present each day to assist with
activities, ensure full participation, and provide support for those with disabilities. The
hospital also self-insured the event against any injuries. Maj General Robeson surprised
everyone by attending the farewell dinner.

After the event, organizers reviewed the experience with Keowee Key participants and
RCP staff, then traveled to Camp Lejeune to debrief the Marines and General Robeson.
Despite areas needing improvement, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. One
key lesson was that Marines staying in the Tall Ship condos felt somewhat isolated from
personal interactions with residents. As a result, future events ensured all guests stayed
in private Keowee Key homes with hosts. 

Initially, fundraising checks were made out to RCP, which caused some confusion. To address this and ensure proper management, Jim Williams (a former Marine and local
attorney) helped form a nonprofit organization called Communities for Marines. Its
mission statement became: “Saying Thank you, face to face and heart to heart.” In
2014, the name was officially changed to Honoring Their Service (HTS).

The annual event honoring active-duty MARSOC Marines and UWS veterans continued
each year until 2019. It was paused in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although there was strong interest in resuming in 2022, a change in MARSOC
command led to the program’s discontinuation, as the new commander saw no
operational rationale for continuing despite support from previous commanders.

In response, the HTS board pivoted to a one-day annual event in June beginning in
2023. These events honor local veterans identified by RCP and UWS. They continue to
be well received by Keowee Key participants, staff, veterans, and their spouses.
Another event is planned for June 2026.

Other Honoring Their Service activities have included:

• Sponsoring care packages prepared by Keowee Key ladies for deployed South Carolina National Guardsmen

• Hosting a dinner party for wives of deployed SC National Guardsmen

• Sponsoring a Christmas luncheon for wives and children of deployed MARSOC Marines

• Endowing a scholarship for veterans and children of veterans at Tri-County Technical College

• Hosting a dinner dance for local first responders who supported the annual MARSOC events

• Hosting an annual Keowee Key Veterans Breakfast on Veterans Day

• Delivering Christmas gifts to 40 veterans at the Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home in Anderson

• Creating a permanent HTS display in the Keowee Key Activities Center