Fort Jackson Soldiers help Midlands honor veterans

By Leader Staff ReportsNovember 15, 2018

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4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Above, Fort Jackson commander, Brig. Gen. Milford H. 'Beags' Beagle Jr., meets Gen. John J. 'Blackjack' Pershing, a.k.a. World War I history buff Dane Coffman, during Columbia's Veterans Day activities Nov. 12. Right, parade attendees turned out in r... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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Soldiers, Families, and civilians showed solidarity for Veterans Day across the Midlands when they braved the cold, damp weather to march in parade down Sumter Street, listen to a concert from the 282nd Army Band and thank veterans.

"Fort Jackson schools had a big turnout (Nov. 12) for the City of Columbia Veteran's Day Parade," said Kerrie Ammons, speech pathologist for C.C. Pinckney Elementary School. "The threat of rain and ever-present cold did not keep us from marching."

Fort Jackson schools were just part of the post contingent that marched. The students followed Brig. Gen. Milford "Beags" Beagle Jr., Fort Jackson commander, and Post Command Sgt. Maj. Jerimiah Gan, and the 282nd.

The students handed out American flags as they passed by, while Soldiers waved and shook hands with crowds that lined both sides of the street.

"I am super proud of our students and families," Ammons said. "They were so giving of their time and seemed to enjoy sharing a piece of their 'awesomeness' with the Columbia community."

The parade was just the icing on the Veterans Day cake as the 282nd played a special concert in Columbia, South Carolina and Beagle spoke to veterans at the University of South Carolina Nov. 9.

Pierce Terrace Elementary School students were originally going to thank veterans with messages written in chalk on Imboden Street, but rain forced them inside where they wrote cards and created banners to be carried in the parade.

The band's concert saluted the Armistice that ended World War I.

"We owe a lot to those who came before us," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 George Bauer, 282nd Army Band commander, during the concert. "We stand on the shoulders of heroes."