Photo By Cpl. Terry Haynes | A Veteran holds an American flag during a Veterans Day ceremony at the Beaufort...... read more read more
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Marines and Sailors of the Tri-Command participated in an annual Veterans Day parade and a ceremony to honor the veterans of America at the Beaufort National Cemetery, Nov. 11.
The parade and ceremony was organized and presented by the city of Beaufort Veterans Day Committee and Eat Sleep Play Beaufort to commemorate local veterans, the men and women who have served and are currently serving in the armed forces of the United States.
“It is so nice to be able to see all of these people come out and celebrate our veterans,” said Tony Taylor, a Beaufort resident and former sailor. “Looking at all these headstones really makes you think of the sacrifices men and women of our nation have made.”
The parade consisted of a Marine Corps color guard, the leadership of the Tri-command, the Parris Island band as well as the grand marshal of the parade Gardner Miller, a World War II Army veteran of the 503rd Parachute Brigade. Starting at 9:30 a.m. near Beaufort National Cemetery the parade proceeded across its traditional route through downtown Bay Street before coming full circle back into the national cemetery.
“I’m extremely thankful for the different veteran’s organizations that coordinated today’s events,” said Carl Wedler the Veterans Affair Officer for the Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce. “Without their support and outreach this parade and ceremony would not have been possible.”
Shortly following the parade the procession made its way to the national cemetery where they held a ceremony for Veteran’s Day. The keynote speaker for the ceremony was retired Colonel Glenn Blackburn, a 27 year veteran of the 101st airborne division and Purple Heart recipient. The ceremony also included performances by the PI band, which covered all of the services official songs as well as a bagpipe rendition of “Amazing grace”.
“Today our nation stops and reaches out to shake the hands of veterans who took an oath to serve this nation and its fine people,” said Blackburn. “We must reach out and remember these great Americans so their sacrifices won’t be in vain.”
Veterans of different conflicts were in attendance for the ceremony from a Marine who participated in the landings of Inchon during the Korean War all the way to present day conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The ceremony concluded with a wreath laying and a 21 rifle salute by the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort rifle detail followed by the playing of “Taps”.
“Without the brave efforts of our men and women in uniform and the families who support them, this nation would not stand so boldly or shine so brightly,” said Blackburn. “No matter what hardships our nation may come upon we can always turn to our veterans for guidance, support and hope.”
| Date Taken: | 11.11.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 11.20.2017 08:03 |
| Story ID: | 255912 |
| Location: | BEAUFORT, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 48 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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