City of Columbia holds 45th Annual Veterans Day Parade

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Thousands of folks took to the streets Friday morning for the City of Columbia’s 45th Annual Veterans Day Parade.

Known as one of the largest in the Southeast, Columbia’s Veterans Day Parade kicked off at the corners of Sumter and Laurel Streets, with Vietnam Veterans serving as this year’s Grand Marshals.

Plenty of soldiers, schools, and supporters were a part of the celebration.

Army Veteran Ellen Daniels served for four years. She says it touches her heart to see so many young people show love to fellow service women and men.

“You know it, it shows us that down the generations as we go forward, it’s gonna be excellent in our lives to our children to look back and say, ‘My parents served and we supported this country, and we thank them for the United States of America,” Daniels says.

Marine Corps Veteran Donald Kenyon served for 26 years after being drafted.

“But I decided to go out and stick it out. So you know I saw all kinds of places as the Marine Corps says, and it was on all coasts and every place else,” says Kenyon.

Rhonda Anderson says her husband served in the Navy and her uncles served as well.

“It’s just a beautiful occasion to see so many different people here for the same common goal of saying we appreciate the sacrifice you made to serve this country,” says Anderson.

Army Veteran Bryan Shover served for 30 years.

He says whether Veterans serve here in America or in a foreign country, or have seen combat or not, it’s inspiring to have them all recognized.

“This country was founded on sacrifice. And I believe Veterans sacrificed a lot, so that people can enjoy their freedoms today. I’ve seen individuals give above and beyond for this country, and it means a lot to see that young people appreciate that,” Shover says.