North Charleston, South Carolina. Veterans Day ceremonies were conducted throughout the Lowcountry to acknowledge and respect those who have served our country during both war and peacetime.
North Charleston hosted a special homage at the Performing Arts Center. American flags flew throughout the audience at Tuesday’s ceremony for veterans of all ages. Veterans ranging in age from 26 to 102 conveyed the same message: together we stand today.
“I learned that America, to me, is the greatest country in the world,” said Johnni James Johnson, a WWII veteran. “I’m so glad to be a part of America, and I just hope that it doesn’t fall apart. I hope we can stay together.
The Lowcountry’s veteran population ranges from 9% to 13%. During Tuesday’s ceremony in North Charleston, children delivered speeches and poems made for the soldiers who attended.
North Charleston Mayor Reggie Burgess recognized the oldest and youngest veterans in the audience before leading a roll call of the six branches of the United States Armed Forces. Veterans stood as each military anthem played.
Tara McClary Reeves, author and keynote speaker, discussed her life as the daughter of a Marine and how it affected her viewpoint.
Before the presentation, local organizations set up stations with resources and information, as did community groups dedicated to assisting and uniting veterans in the area. Many veterans became tearful as they reflected on their time in duty.
“A lot of the time, I can sit and listen to what is going on. Allen Mitchell Jr., a Vietnam War veteran, stated, “Sometimes I get so full.” “Sometimes it brings me down, but other times it makes me happy because I can stop and look around and see all of my other veterans who served throughout the same time period as me — both before and after. It brings back so many nice memories because many of the guys who are here today could have been gone.”
During the homage, there was a Missing Man Table, a military custom that honors service men who are missing in action, prisoners of war, or have died while serving.
This year’s ceremony was especially notable because the Department of Defense and the Veterans Day National Committee chose North Charleston as a regional location for the holiday. It is South Carolina’s only designated site, and it has been thus for the past 15 years.
Johnni James Johnson, a World War II veteran, attended the homage on his 102nd birthday, which coincided with Veterans Day. During the war, he worked at Pearl Harbor, transporting supplies to the front lines.
“It means a lot for us to be here today and take what happened back then,” Johnson told the audience. “So I’m thankful.”
Many veterans reconnected for the first time in decades after serving together.
“I saw two guys out here that I haven’t seen since 1968,” Mitchell added. “And I tell you what, it just restores the delight. It’s a great feeling to see someone you know who has been through similar experiences.”
Others reminisced on the life-long relationships created during service.
“You really get to know somebody, and it becomes like your second family,” says Richard Henslee, a Vietnam War veteran. “You really appreciate the camaraderie.”
Their message to the next generation: the country is stronger together than divided.
“What reunites us all is the joy we have in the celebration of country, the celebration of diversity — the celebration of just knowing that we all celebrate our differences and need to enjoy being around one another,” according to Henslee.
About 30% of all US veterans have a service-related disability, and approximately 7% have post-traumatic stress disorder. If you or a veteran you care about needs assistance, you can find services here.
