One and welcome to the most military friendly community in the United States of America as the city of Columbia hosts the 45th Veterans Day Parade I’m Judy Gatson here at w along with my friend and co-anchor Greg Adeline Greg what a great day for a parade Judy it is always
An honor to be here and an honor to honor our nation’s veterans and today we have quite a treat for you because we have 72 groups that will be marching down Sumpter Street we are at the corner of Sumter and Washington here in downtown Columbia and what is just a
Beautiful day a beautiful day to honor our nation’s veterans well of course the only way to start out this parade is by a singing of the national anthem and we have a special guest here this morning to do those honors her name is Briana Melton she’s with the Richland County
Sheriff’s department and the local solicitors office and we want everyone to give her their full attention to give our colors their full respect as we begin to prepare for the beginning of our Veterans Day Parade Twilight who and bright stars through the per fight or the ramp we watch were so gly streaming and The Rock the BBS in gave Pro through the night that our flag was still there oh say does that star Spang way Or the land of the free and the home of The wow yes oh my goodness if that doesn’t bring tears to your eyes and get patriotism flowing through your veins to just give you that sense of gratitude for what veterans have done for this country and what today’s celebration is all about let’s give it up one more time
For Briana Melton what a beautiful rendition of our national anthem my goodness yes her voice was soaring just absolutely fantastic wow today we are honoring our nation’s Veterans as we mentioned and of course the Grand Marshall for today we have several of the Vietnam Veterans of America number 303
This group is an incredible group having spoken with them several times I’ve addressed them I’ve met them and these are just incredible people who have just sacrificed so much their time in Vietnam and the service and The Valor and The Bravery that they exhibited on the fields in Vietnam absolutely National
Vietnam War Veterans Day is observed annually of course on March 29th in the United States but they are our proud Grand Marshals today saluting the grand stand as they pass by and you talk about Greg service and sacrifice uh Colonel Jack Van loone chapter 303 Colonel thank
You thank you all for your service for your sacrifice passing out the American flag to those who have come to line the streets of the capitol city and salute our veterans today to all of our Vietnam veterans uh we heard so many over the years say welcome home welcome home and
We certainly salute you today my goodness at Memorial Park here in Colombia there is a beautiful memorial for the Vietnam veterans and you think of the Memorial in Washington DC the wall there with all of the names of the 56,000 American servicemen who lost their lives in that conflict in
Southeast Asia their service is never forgotten and today we are honored to give them their dual we absolutely are as we go through we want you all to enjoy all the sights all the sounds of this parade and to really remember what it’s about the service the sacrifice you see
So many of them reuniting with each other those Embraces thank you so much thank you for your service thank you the Vietnam Veterans of America just outstanding one of the flags that you’ll notice there is the flag for the PS and Mia those who are still some in
Captivity if you can believe that in Vietnam uh and those around the world who wear the uniform who have served our country but yet remain in captivity uh pmia recognizing and remembering them today and every day absolutely American Legion Post 90 from South Conger re rolling through the Parade route and
Greg as we talk about our Grand Marshal the Vietnam veterans honoring their service and their sacrifice we’re also of course recognizing the 50th anniversary of the US troop withdrawal from Vietnam in March of 1973 so another reason why they were chosen as our Grand Marshal this year and so many people
Coming along the parade route shaking the hands of our veterans letting them know how much we appreciate all they have given in service to our country indeed five decades 50 years since the end of that conflict however you know the memory is still very fresh for anyone who served and for family members
Um that service never forgotten but again 50 years to commemorate that the the final withdrawal from Vietnam conflict that lasted uh over 10 years also a salute to Kyo Temple 125 always great to see them in our Veterans Day Parade so instrumental in our community and the service that they offer well
Also have special forces chapter 34 as well and of course as we mentioned we are bringing you the sights and sounds of the Veterans Day Parade and we will take little breaks here and there so you can just get a little bit of the flavor the Pomp and Circumstance of these these
Bands making their way down Suter Street let’s take a listen to the 282nd Army ban from Fort Jackson Cor you’ve got to hand it to that 282nd band they sound absolutely fantastic today they do indeed and Greg I haven’t seen the concert schedule yet but they usually perform especially during this time of year it’s so great to see them perform in person uh just an incredible
Ensemble and I mean if that doesn’t get your blood full and I don’t know what will when you talk about Fort Jackson too if you’ve ever been on that installation it’s the Army’s largest training installation in the country it is absolutely staggering to see how many trainees they have there at a certain
Given time having been on that base and having seen the formations and just the way that they conduct and carry themselves it is it is awesome it is fantastic one of the events that they do every year is for the Special Olympics opening ceremonies yes those trainees
Pack the Solomon Center and that place is rocking it is it is we just saw more than 300 of the basic trainees from the installation here so that’s the Next Generation coming through our Vietnam veterans and so many others have paved the way now our Fort Jackson schools
Let’s give it up for the Fort Jackson schools you guys look good in your red white and blue absolutely beautiful a lot of people are surprised to learn that they have schools on post at Fort Jackson it really is a community within itself and of course we have such a strong
Connection with our military Community but the whole family serves when a soldier or any mil military member decides to give service to this country so we thank all of our military spouses all of the military kids for the sacrifice the dedication everything that they give every single day all right
Coming into the intersection right now at Washington and suer it’s the Columbia mayor Daniel ricken and it looks like he’s driving a a Willie those are what those are called looking good all right we actually got 10 Vehicles as a part of this next part of our parade the American Heritage Foundation
You guys look spectacular wow it’s perfect day to have the top down too boy and the kids out here get an up close look at these military vehicles making history come alive yeah 1942 World War II half track so it’s got wheels on the front and tank tracks on
The back part of the American Heritage Foundation looking good yes we see awesome and Greg you mentioned earlier PS Mia soldiers and we see that flag unmistakable flying on our next unit coming through the Insignia at the bottom saying you are not forgotten never forgotten anytime you see that
Flag lift a prayer for those who are missing in action prisoners of War honoring our do little Raiders right we’ve covered them extend ly on W what an incredible story they have to share our kadin’s out too looking good TR sitting uh right next to that bail of
Hay there looking good Congressman Joe Wilson joining us thank you for being here today sir up next we have the military timeline impression and it looks like they’re driving a Humvee one of the vehicles that you often see on the battlefield those Hummers mean business
I tell you they got the decent Siz tires on them too they do indeed honoring our war dogs as well there’s actually a South Carolina War doog Monument wow yeah those canines that that join our military members uh in service thank you so much you can find
Out more at wall.com I would assume that some of those dogs are also therapy dogs who are able to provide support to our military members and you know when you talk about just the the love and the compassion that an animal can bring it is an incredible Outreach group exactly
We’ve got our officers with the city of Columbia Police Department thank you for your service as well led by Chief hook today thank you Chief out shaking hands with the veterans I thought I saw him out in the middle of the road and then next thing I knew he was over in the
Grand stand shaking hands thanking our veterans for their service uh what we see him do frequently and a lot of our veterans serve with our Columbia police department and our Columbia fire department Columbia Fire here fire chief Aubrey Jenkins out on the parade route with us today
Looking great and you know when you talk about not only the service of our military members but the service of First Responders yes those who are willing to run into dangerous situations not running away from it but saving lives putting their own lives on the line in service to others we honor you
Today thank you so much for all that you do for our community both Colombia fire Columbia Police Department thank you very much just an outstanding job day in day out in this community to see Chief Jenkins up next we see the red hog Battalion from Westwood High School out of bwood South Carolina boy do they look sharp they do they’re looking great we have 80 Walkers and perfect formation looking great suits R and starched I will say the red hog Battalion is commanded by Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Jazelle
Stanbury and Cadet Command Sergeant mayor Tia wooded the Westwood Army High School jotc uh they are leaders in the classroom leaders on campus and leaders in the community and boy do you guys look sharp today the Next Generation you guys marching through ready to stand up and serve our community Well next here we have the American Gold Star Mothers afloat with three Walkers as they honor of their loved ones who have made the ultimate sacrifice our hearts are with you today is that Tia it is we’re thinking about our sweet Justice our sweet Justice and all of our other
Goals star moms here thank you for your service and all that you were doing it says I always knew I was meant to be greater more than average and of course no one ever wants to know what it really means to be a gold star mother but when
You talk about the ultimate sacrifice and the way that those Gold Star Mothers stand in the Gap yes we have an obligation to support them in every way that we can that’s right Community wrapping their arms around them and lifting them up and and remembering the service and the
Sacrifice of of those who have this is the Brooklyn casy High School jroc a highly trained army jrc unit from the east side of Casey 88 of the finest Allstar Cadets on this side of the Mississippi behind them we have the Richland County Sheriff’s Department Sheriff Leon lot leading the Group shff lot got on his camo hat today representing his Service as well may recognize some of them from uh live PD and whatnot absolutely and a lot of them serve in our Reserve International Guard so they serve in more ways than one so many ways in our Community now that is an impressive vehicle here looks like tactical vehicle of some sort but wow just impressive as it uh oh we got some girls up there just enjoying the ride they enjoy the vantage point from up there patch open next up we have the Richland County coroner office corer n
Rord the Richland County’s coroner’s office is available to serve you following of course the death of loved ones you certainly don’t um wish that upon anyone but when those unfortunate incidents occur the coin’s office is ready to engage in so many ways to provide so much Support also to just
Raise Community awareness prevention is such a key of this coroner’s office and raising up the Next Generation to get them interested in felds of science and ways that they can be of service to their Community yeah I was seeing a report recently it says that there are lots of opportunities in
Forensics and so that is definitely an emerging field in the Richland County corners office on The Cutting Edge of that and you know before we move to our next uh Navy jotc unit I’ve also got to mention you know Sheriff lot when he came through with the Richland County
Sheriff’s Office is commander of our South Carolina state guard so you know that ser makes all the difference we got our Navy JC all right oair we see you oair high school listening to the Cadence as they call it out the mighty Shamrock celebrating 50 years of Honor courage and commitment let’s go Shamrocks yeah I give them credit for being able to repeat is pretty Nuance there that is pretty good next up here
We have the military order of the Purple Heart chapter 402 uh those who have been wounded in combat um they are definitely remembered today and we thank them for their Valor a lot of people may have seen the comet Purple Heart bus that travels throughout the city and you may not know Columbia
Is a Purple Heart City so um just a very special honor a very special design nation and one of the things that makes us one of the most military friendly communities in the country in the world really thank you so much to our military order of the Purple Heart for being here
With us today especially our combat wounded veterans you know we have a special guest here we have Fort Jackson from the Fort Jackson drill sergeant Academy comant Ricky Jackson Ricky can you step on over appreciate you being here with us welcome welcome to the parade what
What do you think about the sights and sounds that you’ve seen so far this is this is amazing the city of Colombia has always done well and to see our service from our young folks to folks that in our past and present that are here that get back to our country it’s amazing
What can you tell us about the the the drill sergeant Academy out at Fort Jackson how tough is it to make it through well our course is pretty tough but It prepares drill sergeants to train our America’s newest soldiers as we say we train America soldiers at Fort
Jackson and we do a really good job we have the best drill serves in in the world and when you look at these rooc units coming through this is from ridg viw high school they have a great program they did just this week honoring our veterans what kind of Hope does that
Give you about the Next Generation it’s great hope we’re partnered with the city of Columbia and we’re in most of the gltc uh uh school programs and I say the future is bright the future is bright indeed thank you for your service thank you much we appreciate you being here
With us today I mean yeah you know it just gives me goosebumps Greg when you see the service the dedication the commitment and all that they invest all that they invest on behalf of all of us uh in in this community but in this country it is um an Incredible Gift that
Common down Jackson saw some potential out there perhaps you know maybe there will be some in his ranks before T you never know our 92nd Buffalo chapter yes we love you guys over out of West Columbia there you go that’s our 92nd Buffalo chapter of our Disabled American
Veterans keeping the promise to American veterans since 1951 now through its members they uphold protect and defend the constitution for the betterment of all wounded and injured and disabled veterans and just a incredible group when you talk about the wounds that some suffer in battle that organ oranization
Is there to help them every step of the way Beyond it so hats off to them and just all they do ab absolutely well up next here is a a group that we recognize uh looking good out there Wiis news1 how are you all right of course we are united
For veterans a program that we do an in initiative that we are very proud to support because we stand behind our veterans in our community but Judy I got to say the group is looking good today yes wi1 representing great to see Rick Henry out our general manager where’s
Robbie there he is you oliv how are great to see you guys what’s going Robb picture how are you good to see you Robbie listen what’s going on hi Tiffany how goes it but listen our station has a genuine heart and commitment for our Veterans Day not just this parade but veterans
Coverage throughout the year and a number of veterans in our station great to see you guys yeah we got a couple of our managers there we got Brad and Matt looking good all right Sierra toles Lynn our marketing director is a veteran who proudly served we thank Charles for his
Service and one of our proudest projects I think is a part of the United veterans campaign was helping to raise money for the Fisher house that is now open on the campus of the VA Medical Center and we have to thank every single viewer who donated and supported that effort it is
Because of you that house is open today Miss Donell Baker is a treasure she helped lead that initiative also our cassa uh civilian Aid to the secretary of army Kevin sha who also runs the Department of Motor Vehicles but too many people to name but they’ve all been
Instrumental in making the Fisher house here in Columbia a reality we’ve got another marching band moving through we want you guys to enjoy it as much as we do let’s take a listen to the marching band The Mighty Falcons from a Flor High School All right we see you Flora looking good and right behind him it’s the JC of AC Flora absolutely they are got the color the drill team out here again today along with the color guard there one of the Staples in this parade each and every year and while
That Mighty Falcon Battalion is marching through I want to invite Melissa Solomon the deputy commandant of the Fort Jackson drill sergeants Academy to step up and talk with me so glad to see you here today let me start by thanking you for your service as you look at these young men
And women out here today and the purpose and the commitment the duty the respect what’s running through your mind back to Ouren be a part of a Geral TC within their organizations within their high schools absolutely and I think about you know the way the role of women has changed in our military over the years and look at you the deputy commandant out there what what do you say to other
Young women who aspire to following your footsteps I think that they can do anything and achieve anything that they put their mind to I think we’ve made Leaps and Bounds and we look at within our military organizations to ensure we have representation across whether it’s race whether it’s gender and the only
Thing that will stop them from achieving their goals will be them what inspired you to serve honestly initially it was for college tuition yeah but it wasn’t what inspired me to stay ma’am what inspired me to stay was serving alongside all of my brothers and sisters and being a part
Of something that was truly larger than myself it means the world to us and I know it means a lot to you thank you so much for your time and for your your service enjoy the rest of the parade Greg it doesn’t get better than that no
It does not you know she talks about uh values and you know values need to be defended and she’s certainly doing that you know the values of honor and dignity and service and as she said serving something greater than herself has provided her such meaning and uh such
Purpose and we thank her for her service we do indeed let’s hear it for the bwood high school JROTC looking sharp out here and you know Greg while a lot of these young rooc students may go on to serve not all of them do it really is more of
A leadership program and some of them might go onto our military academy some of them pursue other careers I know so many of those programs though they instill a discipline they ins instill values about leadership and respect that they set them up for success in whatever
It is that they do decide they want to do that’s such a great point because you know after all it it’s those things that they’re going to carry with them far beyond even their high school days um into their business lives into their families just uh some incredible skills
That they’re learning in JC let’s hear it for our Marine Corp [Applause] League toys for tods is a program that has had a tremendous impact act over the years simplifi to all of our Marine Corps veterans who are joining us for today’s parade thank you for all that you do for our
Community we have the 108 division training command Veterans as well making their way through with three vehicles today wow and we have the Dutch Fork High School AF jroc and this is a group of 60 Walkers and they’re looking good in their blue suits and even though Veterans Day is
Tomorrow we have to mention especially with the Marine Corps just following through the formal commemoration of the birthday of the Marine Corps began on November 10th of 19 19 21 that day was chosen because on that day the Second Continental Congress resolved in 1775 to raise two battalions of Continental
Marine so until 1921 the birthday of the Corp had actually been celebrated another day so happy birthday to our Marine Corps Veterans as well two birthdays yeah how about kind me that’s nice isn’t it you know for those who have served as Marines it is a a badge
Of honor so many get in to that specific branch of military service because of the I would just say the the atmosphere and the honor that is associated with being a US Marine absolutely my cousin is a US Marine so if he’s watching Harline stamps Jr thank you for your service I love
[Applause] you Airborne all right looking great thank you for your service yes you know Judy when I see airborne and I see purple heart I think of my grandfather served in World War II wow he was uh airborne and receive the Purple Heart for being a paratrooper what about that Family
Legacy injured yeah that family Legacy jumping out of a plane believe it or not she’s the veteran looking good ladies yes every woman on that float is a United States veteran and that’s what they’re chanting she’s the veteran she’s the veteran yes indeed Brook Jackson is the executive director
Bernice Jordan also a part of that outstanding event and we have more of the gold star wives of America coming through yeah that’s quite a motorcycle and playing some green onions as well sounding good looking good out there As we see the PTO chapter of the gold star wise moving through the parade we give them a special salute they look beautiful on this day and my goodness the way they have stood in the Gap it says United We Stand to win divided we fall and are forgotten but we will never
Never forget Greg we’ve got another special guest with us General Kelly the Commanding General of Fort Jackson General Kelly first of all thank you for your service it’s great to see you as always thank you Jud I see the way that you’re interacting with the veterans who are in the grand
Stand these young rooc cabetes that are passing through just tell me what what you’re thinking on days like this so This celebration is really special it is a gathering of those that have lived uncommon lives under uh a common Banner love of country service and what’s really exciting for
Me is to see the young people here witness how we treat our veterans because they are watching they are prospects they are those who I will pass the Baton to and this service will continue so today to see us in celebration is unbelievably exciting for
Me I know it is and I know how much you love connecting with the youth youth what is it that you share with them about what inspired you to serve and the things that they should think about whether it’s in military service or not about how they can be of service to our
Country I I think the freedom that we enjoy it’s fragile and we have to work for it we have to sustain it and it’s not just us the adults that have carried the banner we’re celebrating vets from all wars those that have served I like to talk
Talk to them about how we need them to put their shoulder to the whe to be a part of what we’re doing so that this Freedom that we enjoy why America is so great that it continues and talk to me about the mission out at Fort Jackson we
Had more than 300 basic trainees who marched through this Parade route today I mean you have an incredible mission on behalf of our army talk to us about how you’re meeting that mission right now for Jackson is impactful more than half of our army begins its Journey at Fort
Jackson this past week we graduated in excess of 12,000 new soldiers correction 1,00 new soldiers 45,000 come through annually and when you think about Fort Jackson this community The Unbelievable support that we receive I couldn’t be happier with what’s happening around me and grateful
To be a part of it General Kelly Kelly I was going to say I remember you out at the Opening Ceremonies for Special Olympics and you definitely bring an enthusiasm to that role and they get fired up there on that base I tell you you guys have a good time out there as
Well no it’s a good thing I I always tell folks I’m I’m a low energy guy yeah no I do I I love what I do I love getting up in the morning putting this uniform on and I hope that it shows and
And I want more to come and be a part of what we’re doing uh because we need them it’s an amazing place to be General Kelly thank you so much appreciate you thank you for all that you do and I tell you what when you talk about graduation
Ceremonies out there if people have not been to graduation ceremony at Fort Jackson you want to get pumped up you want to get hyped and know what our military Community is doing and what that service is all about they need to go and check out one of those every
Thursday 9 o’ every th :00 thank you General Kelly we appreciate it plenty more from the 45th Veterans Day Parade here in downtown Columbia when we come right back recommending them to everybody that I know whenever someone says they’ve just been in an accident I said please
Call the stanle Law Group they will take very good care of you he gets results with over 100 Years of combined legal experience Justice begins here over the last 20 plus years we’ve learned a lot of what our customers love like how 75% of our customers are converting their
Tubs into showers to help prevent Falls or how our customers put their trust in us which is why we only send trained bathfitter instars into your home or how our customers love that we give our best price upfront on y remodel over the last 20 years we grown as a family and a
Company go with the folks you know and trust give the Bath Fitter family a call today for that free and home estimate I recommended them to everybody that I know whenever someone says they’ve just been in an accident I said please call the Stanley Law Group they will take
Very good care of you he gets results with over 100 Years of combined legal experience Justice begins here welcome back to the 45th Veterans Day Parade here in our cap Cap City of South Carolina one of the largest Veteran Day parades in the Southeast everybody out on the streets here at
Washington and let’s hear it for our veterans it’s been a fantastic morning so far with all of these groups and just the atmosphere out here Judy is is something else it is really beyond words and when you talk about one of the groups that we didn’t get to earlier
It’s the PTSD veterans Village important so important incredibly important a group that’s working to help servicemen and women who are battling post-traumatic stress disorder a very real thing among our veterans they come alongside them and assist them in ways that really we can’t even quantify and
So we thank them for their service we do indeed we want to salute the WJ Keenan high school ROTC another sharp unit marching an army formation today and when you talk about the ideals Greg of these units it’s all about leadership discipline respect service community service is a huge
Component a huge part of what those programs are all About one thing we had we had heard just a short time ago was about some of those values that were instilled in service men and women even at a young age you know those are the things that are found foundational those are things that are built upon and it’s just amazing to wonder
Even how they’ll grow and how that will play out in their everyday lives as they grow into adults absolutely we also want to salute the woodro Wilson chapter 4 of Disabled American Veterans the chapter 4 Commander Monika lamb unit four Commander Jackie Gray chapter 4 was established on the 2nd of November
1931 has a total of 1,055 members and it’s the third oldest daab chapter in South Carolina the 92-year-old chapter has one purpose support the veterans and their families and that is a mission that we can all get behind absolutely that’s what it’s all about as they roll through I want to
Invite Greg another guest to join us councilwoman aity bustles hey of course everybody knows her by serving on Columbia City Council but what they may not know is that she’s also an army veteran spouse good to see you I’m very happy to be here and to be able to
Support all the veterans that live in our community and tell us about our little soldier so this is little bod uh my husband served in the US Army and we actually met while he was stationed at Walter Reed wow and I’m just you know getting him acquainted young cuz if he
Does join the military it’s going to be the Army well listen the camo looks good on him when you talk about we talked when we open up the parade about our capital city in this region being known as one of the most military friendly communities in the world what does that
Mean to us in terms of our our our viability the quality of life here I mean to be known that is an honor I think that military families are the fabric of our community they really offer a lot whether it’s in terms of diversity or economic impact or even
Just increasing our quality of life and to be and for Columbia to be that home really means a lot military spouses know a certain type of sacrifice but certainly it’s it’s something that you really appreciate over time just the sacrifice of your spouse and so talk to
Us a little bit about that Journey for you and how long have you been married and what it’s entailed as a military I mean even today on Veterans Day he is working in the ER at MUSC I think the work ethic and the dedication and the sacrifice is such an inspiration and
It’s values that I close uh hold close to my heart as well as I serve and represent this city it’s especially tough um only other military spouses can truly understand but I think that we have a really great strong Community here to support us well thank you both
For your service and thank you for just bringing us some sunshine to day thank you so much thank you so much Greg we just had CA Johnson move through the parade route man they have a spectacular band they got an ensemble here today but mayy if you ever see them perform oh
Honoring the Fallen we got our roller skater out there but I mean some of these high School bands are just absolutely spectacular they are they’re outstanding and I got to say some outstanding skill from that roller skater doing the backwards moves man oh man that takes you back to you know the
Old skating parties look we got another one here abely we do we do and I’m going to drop a little history in our Veterans Day Parade as well because we saw High CA Johnson High School just move through they were one of three original black high schools in Colombia and CA Johnson
Out of those three is the only one that is still in operation today and that band recently actually performed at Benedict’s homecoming parade good luck by the way to our Benedict College Tigers competing for a championship undefeated let me get that right undefeated benedi college Tigers competing this weekend and Judy if I’m
Not mistaken are they trying to go back to back back to back B back to back back to back that’s right they won it last year and looking to Repeat Performance so we were talking about the roller skaters that was T Clark they’re called the American Jam skaters they’re jamming the jam and
Skaters they’re rocking it yeah they performed at uh Fort Jackson from 04 to 07 yes and army entertainment 2009 at the Army soldier show so they’ve been at this a while that that explains some of the skills yes yes shout out also to wjb Dorne VC our veteran women’s program
They actually had a veterans ceremony over at the VA on Thursday on yesterday um so we just came can’t thank them enough for all we do we talked a little earlier about the Fisher house over there and how it’s so nice to have that on the campus now but women’s veterans
That’s actually right now Greg the fastest growing demographic in the veteran population indeed indeed here we have also the uh Vet Center that offers connection camaraderie and Community as it says a part of the VA US Department of Veterans Affairs uh looks like a mobile unit here where they will go and
Offer all sorts of resources and connections for veterans you know you really can’t do enough when you talk about supporting those who have uh served those who have you know placed their lives on the line and so the Vets Center doing that and much more yeah and to give you some
Context about how important their mission is the Colombia VA Health Care system has more than 14,000 women veterans but they’ve got a care for more than 36,000 in our area they do as you saw the unit move through they offer 3D mamography on site so they have a huge
Mission over there and they’re working every day to meet those challenges we’ve got the PWC veterans Affinity Network they want the community to know that PWC is here and that they are veteran supporters yeah they’re looking to engage in other veterans events in Colombia and they have a veterans Affinity Network throughout the
Organization and so you know looking to get involved and do a a lot of great work on behalf of veterans the commander there looks like John Cruz says um disabled American Veteran we want to thank you all for watching on WV those of of you who are
Joining us online on wv.com all of our platforms and especially all of you who came out on this beautiful Carolina day to be here in person to salute our veterans to show them how much we love and appreciate them especially our Vietnam veterans who are the Grand Marshal of this year’s Veterans Day
Parade a special group and a a strong organization here in the city of Columbia they are um very special with just the the camaraderie that they have that they enjoy and their service to our nation is something we definitely do not Overlook the Native American group here as well honoring Native American history
Month so much Rich culture thrilled to have you all appreciate you being a part of this special celebration today decked out in the red white and blue celebration of Heritage and culture the American Indian Center of South Carolina has sponsored the unit that just moved through from than 25
Years now Greg and it consists of Native American Indian people from across our state of South Carolina Native Americans of course serve in the armed forces at five times the national average a lot of people may not know that but it’s an impressive statistic though it is they
Have served with distinction in every major conflict over the past 200 years in the history of our nation their contributions recognized today Z oh I was say they were jamming I saw you ladies I see you ladies SI to5 military sorority proving that Sisterhood and support to all military service women
Who have served and their families Joy C McLendon is the founder yeah that organization 4 years old and uh looks like they’re enjoying their time today just kind of uh jamming there Greg we have another special guest with us today it is General harder with the 84 81st Readiness Division General
Harter great to see you thank you for being here happy Veterans Day well happy Veterans Day to you and thanks for being out here and broadcasting all these great veterans in these Heroes today listen there’s nothing more important than what we do than to support our
Veterans we have a program at w called United for veterans where we’ve worked to do everything from help to renovate homes to help open the Fisher house in our community how do you feel when you see this kind of support in a community for the men and women who serve well
It’s fantastic I mean this this community so supports soldiers and Veterans and all service members uh it’s awesome being station here I command the Army Reserves 81st reest division right here at Fort Jackson and you know we’re represented by Reserve soldiers and also they they’re members of the community uh
One of my uh first sergeants one of my ncos who’s in my formation just drove by in a sheriff’s deputy car because he also serves as a law enforcement member here in the community so it’s it’s fantastic the wayc Columbia comes out and honors its veterans yeah when you
Talk about a Readiness Division The Importance of Being ready especially when we see some of the conflicts going on around the world takes on a new meaning a new importance especially in this day and age boy you’re not kidding I think I tell my soldiers all the time
September 10th 2001 was just another day so we live every day to be ready to train and and to uh follow the legacy of the awesome veterans uh that we’re honoring here today that we’re ready we look at the veterans coming through this parade we see the disabled
American veterans we see our Purple Heart veterans when you talk about the commitment to service and sacrifice what message is it that you have for young people who might consider wanting to serve our country in this way one day well that it’s it’s a fantastic to live
A life of purpose right and you see all these veterans out here you could ask every one of them and they’re so thankful that they’ve served I’ve never met a veteran regardless of what their service was how catastrophic their injury that says they weren’t proud to
Raise your right hand so I would tell the young people of today if you want to live a life of purpose we got a spot for you in the United States Army the United States military can’t say it much better than that I’ll say you got me ready to sign
Up guess I waiver I love my veteran too uh he’s watching from at home he’s on the injured reserve list today but I got to give a shout out to my retired lieutenant colonel Dwayne Gatson for his service but General Harter when you know we think about what the
Connection our community have Columbia and the Midlands region to to Fort Jackson to all of our military installations it’s just that indestructible Bond how much does that mean to the support of military families well I think you know my wife is out here with me we’re supporting the way
The Army Reserve is integrated in communities The Way Columbia reaches out to families a soldier can’t serve today without the support of their family member it’s just too demanding the family’s got to be All in the Family serves as you know Dwayne has been in my headquarters I know I know that young
Man and so uh the family got to be all in so it’s awesome to see them out here they serve just as much as we do we couldn’t do without the support of our family members yeah between not only the family and the community all these groups coming together to truly support
Veterans it’s inspiring to see it is General harder thank you so much for your service and thank your wife for us too well I’m thank you for what you’re doing out here absolutely absolutely I tell you what if you don’t have an appreciation for those who serve for the
Commitment that they make to be ready whenever the Call Comes for the commitment that their families make even their kids you know we have those reunion videos on W oh my gosh I wish I could remember their name but there was one recently where they called him into
The room he didn’t realize his mom had come back and the way he hugged his mama knowing that she had been deployed and that she came back to surprise and it just oh it gives me Goosebumps all over and I just we just love and appreciate
You so much for all you do yeah those deployments uh take a toll on a family and so when and they’re able to reunite it is grab the tissues because it’s always fantastic to See again the comment that was made you know talking about readiness and preparedness and training and vigilance all of those things making such a difference in a dangerous world and he brought up the point about September 10th 2001 that’s the day before so much went wrong but being ready is so
Important absolutely let’s take a listen to the Lower Richland marching Brigadier [Applause] band He [Applause] What low orinal high school sounding great they’re followed by their JC group The Diamond Battalion aren’t they sharp they are 90 walkers in this group that’s one of the largest jro TC groups that we’ve seen so far today do you know what and the kids they
Learned so much from when you talk about they show up at Community Service events they learn about leadership they learn about service they learn about sacrifice you know something that I feel like sometimes feel like it might be getting lost in the Next Generation but these
Kids know what that’s all about um uh we have another special guest for us uh joining us a lot of people know him as the sheriff of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department of course but he’s also the commander of the South Carolina State guard Sheriff L thank you for
Being with us thank you it’s a great day for America and a great day here in Columbia South Carolina this is the best pro ever right here it really is I saw you beaming from ear to ear when you were leading your unit down as a part of
This parade you have a lot of veterans who serve with you every single day and and that’s just a small percentage that was out here today but yeah we have a lot of veterans Fort Jackson’s been great with us one of the best recruiting places we’ve got when they transition
From uh Fort Jackson they come right to the Sheriff’s Department it’s not a far drive there yeah pretty close yeah and let me tell you they trained ready and you know hit the ground running too we’ve been talking with all of our guests today um some of the commanders
Out at Fort Jackson and otherwise about what inspired them to serve because it has to take something in particular that inspires you to want to wear the uniform of the United States of America what has inspired your commitment to service well it started with my father my father uh
Sered first class in Army and I grew up in a military family and just watching him and having that flag flown outside of our house every today and uh following his footsteps so I do it in honor my dad Sheriff lot talk about some of the the dangers that are faced not
Only you know for veterans or those who have served but for local law enforcement and for those First Responders who are on the scenes and who run into these situations where other people might be running away you know that danger exists every single day the
But we know that when we raise our right hand and take that oath to defend uh the state and our constitution United States that’s what we do and we understand that we put that uniform on and that shows the dedication commitment and love that each one of those that we that uniform
Have for this just for Richland County for the state for the nation almost every time you and I talk we talk about some of the challenges that our youth are facing today what are some of the principles they don’t necessarily have to serve in the military but that they
Can learn from our veterans about those principles that help you to be a part of Solutions in your community to contribute to the best part of our community what are some of the important lessons that our youth can learn from our veterans well just look at a veteran
And what they stand for and you know the commitment they made but the decision making they make you know making great decisions and our military is put in a position where they have to defend this country and the decisions they make our young people need to learn how to make
Good decisions you know I wish all of them would join the military well looking at the South Carolina youth Talent Academy passing before us right now you know one of the goals that they’re working on good decision making you know place the value on your future your potential and what you can
Contribute to your community all these young people have the potential to be anything they want to be and they just have to go out and find it and and posit and that’s what we need to do as a community that was give them that opportunity we always heard it takes a
Village to raise a child we’re all that Village and we need to take advantage every single day of helping a young person out yeah so many of these groups here offering that positive environment where these values can be taught you really can’t you can’t quantify what that means to these kids because they’re
Learning at such a I would say an impressionable age but they will learn young they they will learn but they need to have great role models and that’s all of us those who wear the uniform and even those who don’t wear the uniform be a role model to a young person you can
Save a life Sheriff lot thank you so much I think the sign out there says it all thank you for your service we appreciate you and everybody is who’s a part of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department everybody who has worn a military uniform to serve our country
Thank you so much great day to be American it is indeed thank you thank you am all right always good to see the sheriff out here it is it is we got Trail life thank you guys you guys look great I love the red white and blue
Looks like we got some boy scouts out there too oh she just ran and jumped in his arms now that is the picture of the day oh my goodness I don’t know if you guys can see on TV what we’re seeing we got a whole crew out here from W trying
To capture every angle for you guys to give you the best shots of this parade but I she saw somebody she loved and she jumped right in his arms that was a beautiful beautiful sight to see man just incredibly special you know some of these some of these groups it’s
Nice seeing all the families out here today as well you know bringing the entire family and kids one of the points that was made a little earlier on Judy to the idea that kids are watching this they’re seeing how service is recognized and how these values that we’ve talked
About pretty much throughout this broadcast that those things are celebrated they’re commendable and they’re uh worthy to be honored they are indeed and you know we can talk to our kids all day long about what’s important but the way they learn about what’s really important is what
They see us do yes that’s that’s what informs the decisions that they make and so the more they see us doing we can do less talking we just need to do more doing more action we’ve got our friends from Domin energy walking in the parade
Today thank you all so much they have a tremendous commitment to hiring veterans which is so important because a lot of times when military members transition from active duty into retirement sometimes it’s not quite clear exactly how all of those skills incredibly valuable skills but how they transition
Into civilian life and Dominion Energy has set up a whole team to make sure that they understand how that skill set lines up because when you have somebody like a veteran who knows how to solve problems who shows up every day all day you know who’s ready to do the job and
Ready to reach Mission accomplishment you can teach them all the other stuff that’s right but when you have somebody who has that kind of commitment instilled in them there’s not a better person that you can bring into your organization tremendous skills on the job they make great entrepreneurs as
Well lots more coverage from out here at the 45th annual Veterans Day Parade here in the city of Columbia we’ll be right back here on Wiis work hard then you get hurt now you’re at home wondering when you’ll be able to work again you don’t want to
Make ways but you need help now call The Joy Law Firm for a free and confidential consultation just call a joy over the last 20 plus years we’ve learned a lot of what our customers love like how 75% of our customers wanted a tub to shower conversion so we perfected
That process if you’re simply just looking for easy access for your shower or you have loved ones that cannot get in and out of a tub safely Beth fitter has the experience and products to get the job done our patented one piece wall system ensures you of a leak free and
Easy to clean shower go with the people you know and trust give the bathfitter family a call today for that free and home estimate if your loved one is in a nursing home and has suffered bed sores broken bones dehydration or malnutrition just call Joy we’ll find out the truth
About what happened and hold those responsible accountable 803 771 3100 broadcasting live from downtown Columbia welcome to the 45th Veterans Day Parade from the Midlands known as the most military friendly community in the United States of America I’m JY Gatson along with Greg Adeline and Greg what a beautiful day to salute our
Veterans indeed we love our veterans and today that love has been on display all morning long as we work our way into the afternoon all of these groups getting the recognition the support and the love that they deserve one day ahead of Veterans Day as we take time to reflect
And think about all of the service all of the sacrifice and all that our veterans mean to not only raise our quality of life but also just to give us a tremendous example of what service and sacrifice means and the value of it absolutely joining us now is the mayor
Of the city of Columbia mayor Daniel Rickman mayor Rickman I just want to know you’ve been smiling from ear to ear since I saw you come up to help lead the parade what’s running through your mind day you know it’s is such a great you
Know we did get to do it last year you know and we and we we had Co get in the way of having this great parade and it’s just such a great honor we’re we’re such a patriotic City and you I was talking to General Kelly several weeks ago and
He said did you know that seven out of 10 people retiring at Fort Jackson are making Columbia their home that’s huge so that tells me that you know that having events like this and getting everybody involved is it’s just and of course the weather’s perfect you know I
Mean you know we just dialed it up perfectly but excited to talk I mean riding in the car with the folks you know talking about the do litter Raiders and you know the history behind it and an attachment to Colombia and how they want to do a
Museum here and the fact that they’re excited to be here you know and going well I got this parade tomorrow and I got this through the weekend but just seeing all the people here supporting the community is great I mean it’s just unbelievable Mr R Yeah you mentioned the
The weather you had a top down Willie it looked like they were driving and you’re were enjoying that ride for the most part you know what’s that that Willie landed in Normandy wow really yes and the general drove it around and he brought it back to the US after it and a
Local attorney in town got it and had it you know restored and so it it it’s a piece of History wow wow how special is that you know you talked about military veterans who retire and stay in this community but even when families travel from all over the country to be here for
Graduation you know 250,000 family members on average come to Columbia and spend four days on average with us I mean you talk about the impact that has on our city and that region it has an impact if you go to graduation one time you’ll leave their feeling so great these parents not only
Saw their kid or young child either son or daughter go in one way come out another they’re so excited they talk about what a great Community we have and how everybody is supportive and you leave there you just you feel so patriotic you just want to go hang a
Flag I know I know and we welcome all of those families to our city they see all of the great things that our city has to offer and a lot of them come back to make Columbia home we got the drill sergeants Academy over there we head right here putting out the drill
Sergeants you know 60% of all the training happens right here in Columbia South Carolina and then you talk about our air national g that is is deployed all over the country and then we got shaww down the road I mean the Midlands is the military part of our state
There’s no doubt it really is you talk about the opportunities for veterans and the incentives for them to stay in our community what’s the city doing to make sure that you know veterans know that they have a home here and a place where they can Thrive and raise families I
Think two things that are really great is that you know the the governor and the legislature made sure that no military retirement is taxed so that’s one part second part for us is we want to create kind of a a retire M program with the general so they have retirement
Ceremony at at Ford Jackson but we want to do something and recognize them and introduce them to the community you know if it’s Scout Motors amarro blue sh Blue Cross Blue Shield WIS I heard y’all are hiring we are we are you know whoever we can to make sure that they they feel
Very welcome and part of this and I think they feel that but doing that extra mile I think will go a long way absolutely well mayor recm thank you for taking a few minutes to talk with us and enjoy the rest of the parade what a beautiful day for our capital city and
Greg to your point one of the other things that they’ve been working to do is make sure that mil spouses when they move to this community man these Corvettes are revving up look I’m G just let them live their best life CU they are revving it up enjoying this and they
Are beautiful vehicles moving through um as a salute to our veterans today but they’re working to make it easier um one of our former producers as a matter of fact Brandon Wilson is over there working with the Department of Veterans Affairs and they’ve worked to not only
Highlight veterans in our but also to put initiatives in place so that spouses who have certain training and certifications in other areas that it will be recognized here because when you come in you might be here for two or three years and the time it takes to ramp up to get whatever that
Certification is in your field of expertise if you can just automatically have that transfer even things like that make such a huge difference and so those are the things that our community has worked to be able to really support military families yeah it makes for such
A seamless transition and you know to be a military friendly community and to be named one of the best communities for military I will say that is a badge of honor it it talks a lot about the type of community that we have here in Columbia that recognizes service and
Sacrifice and um it’s just tremendous the beautiful vehicles that you all see rolling through are a part of vets are forever Corvette club they are always a crowd favored as they come revving up for the Veterans Day Parade we’ll probably see them again at the Christmas parade as well but boy we appreciate
Them being here today abfw post 4262 the auxiliary past president Theodore monu thank you Charlamagne K kener thank you so much the grand of South Carolina mocha president trying to catch the names as they brought Audrey Smith right here there there you go good to see you yeah each one of those Corvettes
Just looking awesome and again perfect day for top down love to hearing that story story from the mayor about that Willie that they were driving was on the beach in Normandy yes yes if you could believe that and brought back here to the United States incredible we’ve got another special
Guest with us thank you all for being here today secretary Todd mcaffry retired US Army General also Secretary of South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs great to see you as always I I think you’re enjoying the the parade as much as the kids are I’ve seen you take
Pictures shake hands get hugs how how was what are you feeling I do you know this is the this whole week and particularly veterans days the one day of the year we celebrate the service and the sacrifice of this nation’s veterans and here in South Carolina there’s
393,000 of I think a lot of them are out here today they really are we were just talking a moment ago about what our Department of Veterans Affairs is doing to support veterans to support military families and there’s so many initiatives that you all have had to really kind of
Close that Gap and make sure they have every resource they need yeah this state is so blessed with it support to Veterans so we’re we’re fortunate to be able to work with the US Department of Veterans Affairs to help veterans gain the benefits to which they’re entitled
We work to work with nonprofits across the state to integrate the services they provide we advocate for the military presence of South Carolina and we also try to inform the public of what veterans do and how veterans serve and how they continue to serve their communities every day they certainly do
You know you talk about almost 300,000 veterans or upwards of that that’s a tenth of the state has served in a military branch really is incredible to think that there’s that much of a presence here in our state definitely though some challenges though those who have served what is your
Organization able to do to make sure that they’re thriving here yeah that’s a great point so you know 393,000 veterans you a couple of their families it expands that Booker even further you know the reality is there are veterans that continue to struggle and suffer in
South car ill we are fortun to have wonderful organizations to support them the VA does a great job supporting veterans but we also recognize the fact that the vast majority of veterans are not strugging they’re actually helping veterans they’re contributing they’re working here in Columbia across the state uh providing economic impact and
Building businesses in his employees so we’re privileged to work with them in fact that they raised the bar for all of us well thank you for all you do and your incredible staff as well the way they have Outreach in the community is making such a difference and I know just
A couple days ago you all named the veteran of the year for our state we sure did and it was just came out on L on on social media First Sergeant Alvin King who runs range for Hope and will recognize him tomorrow at the gamec football game be fantastic and the
Government will recognize him next week on Tuesday so we’re looking forward to that we had him in WS the other night to talk about the USC 5K run that’s coming up on Sunday he’s going to be there as well so we just want to thank Alvin King
For all of his service all that he does Jared Evans over over the University of South Carolina as well but just another example of the way our community comes together in so many ways to make a difference I’ll tell you Columbia it wraps her arms around its veterans the
Military Community we’re so privileged to be here thank you so much than you all appreciate it yeah wow is that awesome it is it is and you know you mentioned the uh veteran of the year you remember when we the other night and you
Know was it so I I would just say it was it was amazing to see him just kind of mention it uh parenthetically on the side oh by the way I just won this or yeah it was very typical it was not the first thing out of his mouth is just
Kind of like we had talked to him for at least 10 minutes or whatever talking about the 5K that they have coming up and you know and he just kind of mentioned it on the side so absolutely absolutely we’ve got the sons of Solomon motorcycle club that’s been rolling
Through um the Metro City Slingers are here with us today we talked about the vets of forever cor vet Club um so much happening wow I’m going to let y’all take it in for a minute sure got some sling they got the music blasting and everything And Judy these are known as the Metro City Slingers so Slingers is a play on slingshots I like it I like yeah these These are these are Neat we’ve got another special guest for an interview but we’ll let the revved up part of the parade pass through first so we can hear and share that with our audience viewing Us online and on W we want to while we have a moment I just want to
Thank our entire crew I can’t even begin to call all of their names our chief photographer Russ Conan is out here and I mentioned um our marketing director Charles Lynn who’s a veteran he’s even behind the camera out here working today and so many other members of our team to
Make this happen it takes the whole station has to come together to be able to bring you a live production like this so we hope that you’re enjoying it at home we hope that you know you’re seeing some of your neighbors and friends and colleagues and veterans that you know
And love and can join in honoring them today of course Veterans Day is tomorrow and a number of Ceremonies happening around the Midlands to pay tribute to our veterans for their service and their sacrifice but this is just a big event that our community looks forward to
Every year and Greg I just I tell you it doesn’t get old seeing everybody waving their American flag seeing the kids light up with joy seeing the hugs the handshakes the tears um all of the emotion of this event and of this day it just represents the best of our
Community and what it’s all about and how important our veterans and our military families are to everything that we do in the Midlands to make this such a great place to live and to raise your families and to have a respect a respect to really honor what it
Means to serve our country indeed so well said and all of the hands on deck here that that make this broadcast happen so you know we’re able to put this out and of course those who organize this parade you got to give it up to Susan mcferson we appreciate all
The effort there just to make this an event that every single year people look forward to because Judy you said it it is service and sacrifice on display and a chance to honor that today we have even more Corvettes by the way yeah we saw some earlier y’all are
Looking good looking really good out there in the Corvettes making their way down here well as the Corvettes move through I want to welcome in another special guest 42 years Total Service Chief Warrant Officer Allan Hinton happy Veteran Day to you sir and thank you thank you thank you for your service
You’re most welcome tell me what inspired you to serve and when you how you got your career started well I went into service initially as a enlisted man in the Army from 60 to 63 after I graduated from high school and then I went to college and became an officer in
The Marine Corps and spent 12 years on active duty there got passed over for major in 1980 taught school in St Louis Missouri area taught history and government there from 1980 to 2008 and there was an Army Reserve helicopter unit and I got on with them and I flew with them for the
Two jobs really didn’t interfere with each other until December 90 when the reserve unit got called up and we had to go to over to kick the Iraqis out of Kuwait Desert Storm and uh you know I came back from that and went back to my school teaching
Job and flew with the reserves right up till my 60th birthday when retired me so I couldn’t fly anymore wow but you were willing and ready weren’t you well I’m I’m 81 years old now wow wow wow yeah I moved here last two months ago my my daughter s right there
As a doctor here and you know wants to take care of her pop she says come on down here and I’ll uh well listen we’re glad to have you and this is commun that appreciates our veterans and everyone who is served and I’ll tell you something I from my history and time
That I spent in the military I never met a person from South Carolina that wasn’t a total Patriot I served with a lot of guys that had both in the Marine Corps and in the army that you know joined up and every last one of them not one of them was a
Jerk which I think’s amazing yes that is amazing wow 42 years of service I have to say you’re one of the more decorated out here I well you know you get a lot of those if you just happen to be in the right place at the right time I I was
Going to ask though what is it mean to you to be able to see the Vietnam veterans in particular be honored today as Grand Marshals you began your service right during that era well I was I went in initially in 1960 I mean I didn’t get to Vietnam as a marine helicopter pilot
Till December 69 and served there till December 70 but you know and I heard all those stories about people spitting on you and cursing and all I can truthfully say is none of that ever happened to me so I mean you know I always take a with
A grain of salt when somebody’s got some I’ll tell you a funny story from when I was teaching school right yeah there were these three girls that sat in the back corner of the room great students nice suburban school district these three girls somehow had figured out how
To have the same schedule so they all went from my history class the same English guys always turn their assignments in no problems they sat in the back corner of the room you know no problems you know about halfway through the semester they just go totally crazy this one day they’ll jumping up
And down they’re hollering everything and they’re back in the corner of the room so I got to go back what the heck’s going on here you know well there’s this little bug crawling on the floor and they they’re acting like there was a king cobra losing in the classroom
Or something and I said that’s what’s causing this problem yeah Mr Mr so I reach down I pick it up and I pop it in my mouth and I ate it right in front of the class right now I went through the jungle survival School in the
Philippines Back in 1970 yes trust me it was not the first bug I ever ate in my life Wow Wow and by the and by the end of the day I got other teachers coming up to me after school saying and hey Al
We heard you ate a big old 2 and 1/2 in cockroach and I says you know that story gets better every time somebody tells it that’s right that’s right that’s right that’s incredible you know the parade has just been such a joy today everybody came out to enjoy this momentous
Occasion I think it’s appropriate to wrap up we’ve asked all of our guests today about inspiring the Next Generation whether they decide to serve in the military or not but what words of wisdom can you share with our youth about what has helped to contribute to your success
Well I had a lot of good examples growing up all you can do is set a good example I mean I remember in high school in the late 50s just about every male teacher in the high school was a World War II veteran wow so it wasn’t unusual
At all and I remember my football coach will Sanders born in Tennessee was teaching there at soan high school in St Louis was a head football coach I just asked him one time I said a service tur War he says yeah I was in the airc okay but he never talked
About it you know he just went about his day-to-day job he coached the football team coach the track team he died in 1989 I went to his funeral and the Air Force was there with you know honor guard and there was an Air Force Colonel there and you know and
I I got talking to him after the funeral there I said what what’s the story you know I mean that’s more than you usually they get and he said well you didn’t know that uh will Sanders was one of those Tuskegee Airmen in World War II
Wow but you know he never mentioned it in the years that I was in high school and playing football for him you know and yeah I mean he was just a great guy wow and uh amazing yeah I mean but you know he didn’t go around and uh you know
Try to you know impress people with his War Stories and stuff you yeah but a true inspiration and the well yeah he mean you know he you know everybody got played football I mean we weren’t the best football team in the St Louis area but you know he did a great
Job he did a great job he he poured into you and shared um so many of the lessons that he had learned along the way thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us thank you especially for your service and we’re glad to have you in
Columbia one of the most military friendly communities in the country said moved here CU my daughter the doctor wants to keep an eye on me in my old age I understand feeling you’re keeping an eye on her too but thank you so much we appreciate it Happy Veterans Day thank
You what a treat what a my goodness bringing tears to my eyes these stories but yes what you talk about with our veterans so much you sit down and you have a conversation with them and little do you know the incredible things that they have done how much they have given
Of themselves in service to others and um just what a blessing it is so what a what a beautiful day to celebrate our veterans here in the capital city wow it is an incredible day and so much sacrifice so much service commemorated here and honored here and every day in
This community that wraps its arms around veterans and it’s just uh an honor to be a part of it there’s no doubt about it is indeed it is indeed it is such a joy for us here at w obviously it’s important for us to bring you all
Of the headlines of the day but events like this this is so important to our station’s mission who we are what we do what we believe in and serving serving our community here in Colombia but really throughout the state and making sure that you understand the stories of
Our veterans and the impact that they have in our community and supporting military families and all of this being the sense of community that we feel um the responsibility that we feel to be of service to our community that’s why it’s commitment for um from us to be able to
Share this parade with you from here in downtown Columbia we’re going to send it to break but we appreciate you joining us for the 45th Veterans Day Parade here in the city of Columbia have a great Day never been afraid to put in the work the extra early extra late extra extra work because you understand that education is the key that unlocks everything better pay better hours better opportunities a better you and playing the lottery is no different getting educated before you play gives
You the tools you need to be a better player like knowing when to play and when to take a rain check visit sceducationlottery.com better you to be a better Player we probably expecting someone else on these steps and probably also expecting a plain old fil of cheese steak well I’m not him and Zach P Fried Chicken Philly it’s not that we built difference and this Philly is filled with delicious Fried Chicken now I must eat you finally the Philly done Right well good afternoon everybody Welcome to our wys coverage of the 45th Columbia Veterans Day Parade the official parade is wrapped up but we still have one more special guest that we want to share and introduce to you Greg what an incredible parade it has
Been yes it has it has been a phenomenal day here in the city of Columbia beautiful weather and just so much support here from the crowd that came out to honor our nation’s veterans today we have uh Colonel retired Chris Cox 37 years in the Army and the common down of
Schools Regional Training Center at camp mccrady and as well as the South Carolina Military Academy thank you so much for joining us we appreciate it oh yeah thank you glad to be here glad to be here you know we’ve talked with all of our special guests today asking
Really I mean obviously Veterans Day mean so much and and to so many people but for you what inspired you to want to serve wow um I tell you uh the uh just you know I I I wanted to wear this uniform since I
Was you know as uh since I was 5 years old really and um my dad uh jumped into Normandy uh when he was 17 years old and um with the 82nd Airborne to vision and uh I remember uh when I was a young boy playing in the backyard we had a shed
And my dad’s Brown Jump boots were in the shed and I used to go look at him and uh I’d ask him questions and you know he didn’t talk a lot about it but he told me you know he was one of those guys that uh was only in for a short
Period of time and uh that like you said to find his life you know and um I think that motivated me to want to serve you know I wanted to be like my dad you know so uh I ended up uh going to the same military he went to a military college
And then uh he graduated um and then went to Baylor University and he served as a lab technician in the Civ civilian world and he met my mom uh but uh I I decided to serve uh because of him and um wanted to be like I said be like my dad so
And then just I don’t know I’ve always been taught to be selfless and uh you know appreciate what you have don’t take it for granted so I knew that if I served um I would be able to allow other people to uh live the
Life that I was able to live as a as a kid growing up that’s amazing such a strong and powerful Legacy yeah Duty and sacrifice and I see that you have an Airborne uh pin so I take it you jumped from Planes I did WOW yep I uh uh I was
Uh I served in 101st Airborne uh now that’s an AER assault uh division we uh uh go in by helicopter repel out of the out of the helicopters uh I served in the 82nd uh uh I had uh 27 jumps uh jumped into Panama in uh 89 wow uh
During the uh Invasion there and uh yeah I did I did a lot of jumping y well we got about a minute left I want you to wrap us up by giving some words of encouragement inspiration to our next Generation whether they decide to wear a
Military uniform or not but the keys to your success that can help them to also be their best well there’s four things I always tell soldiers and uh I I I I’ve talked to high school students too as well uh my wife teaches up at review
High school they had a great ceremony up there yesterday they did yeah yeah and and then what I tell them is first thing is always look at your you know set long shortterm goals but embrace the challenge okay and after you embrace the challenge set the standard I want you
Know what the standard is exceed the standard and then after that lead the way lead the way thank you so much for leading the way appreciate it appreciate it than appreciate you guys Happy Veterans Day wow tell you a great note to end on I know I know we could talk to
To Veterans all day just each has unique stories but all of them just kind of revolving around that same theme of serving something greater than yourself and just what it means to really buy into those values that are instilled in military service yes the camaraderie that they have with one another the
Meaning of that service and sacrifice all of the years since there’s not one person that you see out here that’s spent decades in military service that says you know it wasn’t worth it because they say it was incredibly impactful and now they’re passing that on to the next
Generation ABS doesn’t get any better than that we’ve got a Vietnam vet who’s going to come in to close us out and wish everybody Happy Veterans Day sir what is your name my name is uh command sergeant major Larry El Melton senior and what do you want to say to everybody
To wish them a happy Veterans Day well I just want to say that uh we as veterans are honored to be out a part of this uh parade and it is a pleasure and an honor to serve people often say we thank you for your service but we also say we
Thank you for allowing us to serve you thank you so much for your service you’ve suffered a serious work injury you don’t have to go It Alone call us at the joy Law Firm you’ve always been there for your employer let us be there for you just call Joy 8037710131 Of the insurance CL but the full project from start to finish when a homeowner has fire damage water damage or sewer damage is very tramatic event so when we come in there we’re not just coming in as a contractor we’re coming in as someone that is looking out for their
Best interest reach out I’m always available 247 our big thing is getting you back to you if you’ve been hurt on the job don’t count on your employer’s insurance company to do what’s right call The Joy law Law Firm we one of South Carolina’s most experienced workers comp law firms
Let us fight for the workers compensation benefits you deserve just call Joy wi First Alert weather most watched most trusted today on investigate TV an innocent hostage shot by police why officers can be legally protected when they open fire I said I got to get out of here I bailed out and
Held my hands up in a and I still got shot plus people arrested for crimes in places they’ never even been with new technology to blame I swear to God I ain’t never been to Louisiana I don’t do nothing like that IR who you use who
Would get you involved know cuz I got my license I don’t even know nobody and a rising scam costing Americans millions of dollars with victims left picking up the pieces emotionally drained physically drained psychologically drained investigate TV starts right [Applause] now hello and welcome to investigate TV I’m Lee zurk a hostage shot nine times by police in federal courts confirmed that the officers who shot him don’t owe him anything that decision ends a Georgia man’s 8-year battle to get compensation for his injuries Brendan Keefe has an
Exclusive interview with the man who survived both a kidnapp
source
