Columbia holds 36th annual SC Veterans Day Parade

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Veterans from across South Carolina are gathering in Columbia to mark its 36th annual Veterans Day Parade.

The parade begins at 11 a.m. at Sumter and Laurel Streets and winds through the city center to the Statehouse.

Military units and veteran groups from across the state take part in the march, hosted by City of Columbia Parks and Recreation.

The Department of Veterans Affairs says Congress in 1938 approved making Nov. 11 a legal holiday. It was dedicated to the cause of world peace and celebrated as “Armistice Day” to honor veterans of World War I.

In 1954, Congress amended the name to Veterans Day in order to honor all who served their country in the military.