Photo above: Pre-K students from Beaufort Christian Academy wave their flags prior to reciting the Pledge of Allegiance during the annual Veterans Day ceremony.
By Bob Sofaly
Thousands of people lined Carteret and Bay Streets honoring our Veterans last Wednesday during the annual Veterans Day parade.
Floats, marching bands, color guards and every Veterans group in the area marched in the annual parade. Pre-K school children recited the Pledge of Allegiance while others marched with their Veteran parents or rode on floats waving American flags.
At least one parent, USMC Veteran Paul Thayer was on hand and saluted all the color guards as they presented “Old Glory”. His six-year-old son, Harrison, of Cub Scout Pack 200, Den 1, also gave a crisp scout salute, honoring his father and all Veterans.
Following the parade, about 150 people assembled in the Beaufort National Cemetery to listen to patriotic speeches and lay a wreath to pay tribute to those Veterans who, according to President Abraham Lincoln, “gave their last full measure of devotion”.
From left: Gen. Dan McNeill, (US Army, retired) and Chris Swan, commander of Beaufort Chapter #12 of Disabled American Veterans, lay a wreath of flowers at Beaufort National Cemetery; Marine Corps veteran John Bergen gives a crisp salute as one of several color guards makes its way along Boundary Street; an Army veteran wears his “Cavalry” hat as he waves to the crowd; Cpl. Aidan Louks of the Parris Island Marine Corps Band plays the echo taps at the conclusion of the annual Veterans Day ceremony. Not shown but also playing echo taps is Sgt. Jason Russell; many veterans groups were represented during Veterans Day Parade on Wednesday. Photos by Bob Sofaly.
