Hundreds celebrate Veterans Day in Columbia | News

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS)- Hundreds of people lined the streets in downtown Columbia today to say thank you to veterans. The 34th annual Veteran's Day Parade made its way down Sumter Street Monday morning.

It was a special parade for Audrey Birchmore, as it was the first time she had attended the event. The retired 66-year-old was amazed by the bands, the marching, but most of all, the veterans. It made her cry.

"I love my country," said Birchmore. "My dad was in the service. This is my way of giving something back to let them know I appreciate them."

Hundreds showed their pride for our nation's military. Veterans and service members old and new marched.

Some watched from the sidelines, like Vietnam vet Wade Daniels. "Makes me want to join again," he said.

Iraq-Afghanistan War veteran Chris Kollmann and his family were surprised when they received a gift from someone special along the parade route.

"A girl came up, gave me a card to say -- I haven't read it yet -- thank you for your support," said Kollmann. "It just touches my heart."

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