Tri-Command, local community gather to honor Veterans

Photo By Cpl. Samantha Foster | A wreath is placed in honor of all veterans and current service members during a Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11. The wreath was placed to honor and pay tribute to all fallen service members and those laid to rest in the cemetery. The ceremony was held at the Beaufort National Cemetery.  

BEAUFORT, SC, UNITED STATES

11.11.2015

Story by Sgt. Dengrier Baez 

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

BEAUFORT, S.C. - Tri-Command service members participated in a Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony with members of the community in downtown Beaufort, S.C. Nov. 11.

The annual event is held to recognize local veterans and active duty service members. The event goers, wearing red, white and blue, and waving American flags, lined the streets during the parade. Old and young cheered as a color guard, the Parris Island Marine Band, veterans, and active duty service members marched by the crowd.

“I love living in Beaufort and getting to see all the ceremonies and events,” said Jill Kelly, a Beaufort resident and daughter of a late Marine. “We really enjoyed the parade today. We’ve been out here all morning watching them go by. It’s especially important to say thank you to veterans today but it’s really every day we should say thanks.”

The parade concluded at the Beaufort National Cemetery where a ceremony was held. During the ceremony, the Tri-command leaders and government officials were introduced followed by a Veterans Day address and a wreath-laying.

Col. Peter Buck, the commanding officer for Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Brig. Gen. Terry Williams, the commanding general for Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and Eastern Recruiting Region, and Navy Capt. Anne Lear, the commanding officer for Naval Hospital Beaufort, represented the Tri-Command.

“For those of you who are serving, the nation cannot say too many times how much she appreciates what you have done, are doing and continue to do,” said U.S. Army Gen. (ret.) Dan McNeill, a keynote speaker for the event. “Veterans Day is about selfless-service and dedicated service.”

The ceremony also included symbols of service members who were prisoners of war and missing in action. A brief medley composed of every service branch’s song, a brief prayer, and military honors concluded the ceremony.

“There is no greater feeling in the world than having people come up to you and say thank you,” said Carl Levine, a Beaufort resident and retired Marine. “I could not be more proud of the country that I live in.”

• Date Taken: 11.11.2015
• Date Posted: 11.13.2015 09:01
• Story ID: 181875
• Location: BEAUFORT, SC, US