Columbia’s 34th Annual Veterans Day Parade Success

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — It’s one of the largest events in the entire state of South Carolina to honor service men and women. ABC Columbia’s Monique Williams has sights and sounds from the Capitol City’s 34th annual Veterans Day Parade. Today the City of Columbia celebrated Veterans Day with the 34th Annual Veterans Day Parade through Sumter Street in downtown Columbia. A special recognition ceremony, hosted by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, was held just prior to the start of the parade where Councilman Brian DeQuincey Newman proclaimed the City of Columbia as the first “Purple Heart City” in the state of South Carolina. The City of Columbia is dedicated to being the most friendly military community. The City of Columbia has a large population of highly decorated military members both active and retired living in its communities and recognizes the commitment and increasing sacrifices military families are making. Vietnam Veterans from across the state lead seventy plus units in the parade today. City officials noted that over 100 veterans from the Wounded Warrior Project were in attendance. Sumter Street was lined with children, families and veterans supporting those who walked in today‘s parade. This year’s parade features dozens of units, including historic military vehicles, marching units, color guards, floats, various veterans groups, motorcycle clubs and bands. The 34th Annual Veterans Day Parade was hosted by City of Columbia Parks and Recreation and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina.