After a cold, rainy weekend, the sun came out just in time as Colleton County’s veterans, first responders and essential workers were honored at the 2021 Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 7.
The parade held its usual fire trucks and law enforcement vehicles, but this year they were honored, along with the veterans, for their assistance during the pandemic.
Colleton County High School’s ROTC cadets and color guard opened the parade as they marched down Hampton Street, onto Jefferies, then down Washington Street.
Newly re-elected Walterboro Mayor Bill Young and his wife were all smiles as they preceded members of the Walterboro City Council in the parade line.
Colleton County was also honored by the presence of Tuskegee airmen and active-duty army personnel.
The Colleton County Corvette Club was present with 16 cars in the parade, and the Rice Festival beauty queens preceded the tractor-pulled Rice Festival train filled with happy children and parents. The Veterans Victory House bus carried veterans through the parade as people who lined the streets waved and thanked the men and women for their service.
Marching with handmade signs thanking veterans, the Northside Elementary School Robotics team and teachers waved to by standers, and the Colleton County Band of Blue was top notch as they played tunes for the crowds.
Several floats held smiling veterans as they waved flags and passed some out to parade watchers. Children on the curbs loved every minute of the spectacle.
The Grand Marshal Float held U.S. Air Force Veterans Steve Cinader, Lena Swanson, Thelma Williams, and June Day; Elementary school teacher robin Jackson; Paige Crews, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner for the Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg; Nicole Bryan of Health Care Provider Amedisys; Phillip Peters, Veteran USA and Essential Worker at Little Cesar’s; John Spahn, Veteran USA and Essential worker at Walmart; and Charles Pruett, Essential Worker at Dunkin Donuts. “These individuals rode on the Grand Marshal Float. They continue to work and volunteer in our community. It was a pleasure for the Colleton County Veterans Council to make sure they got the recognition they deserve,” said Bob Tiegs, Treasurer, CCVC.
Parade winners
Trophies went to the best floats and appearances. First Place went to Walterboro Elks Lodge; Second place went to VFW Post 12102, and Third place went to Bells Elementary School.
“The Colleton County Veterans Council wish to thank all the residents, businesses, organizations and schools for their participation in this year’s Veterans Day Parade. Thank you for honoring our Veterans and recognizing our frontline – essential workers for their dedication and commitment to serve,” said Johnny Holmes, chairman of the Colleton County Veterans Council. “We’d like to extend a special thank you to the City of Walterboro, Walterboro Police Department, Colleton County Sheriff’s Office, Signs Plus, Colleton County High School - NJROTC, Veterans Victory House Nursing Home, VFW Post 12102, Walterboro Elks Lodge, Colleton County Honor Guard, Tuskegee Airmen – Hiram E. Mann Chapter, Colleton County High School Band of the Blue, Northside Elementary Robotics Team, Anderson Grant – Kappa Alpha PSI, Bells Elementary School, Mr. Central Williams – Colleton County SC State University Alumni, Mr. Bubba Trippe – Colleton County Rice Festival, Carl Coffin - Colleton County Memorial Library, Ed. Williams – NAACP, Hiram Davis – Davis for Colleton, Koger’s Mortuary, Covertte Group of Walterboro, Mr. Daniel Chisolm, Big Duke Riders, 1223rd Engineer Company SC National Guard Armory, Walterboro Fire Department, Brennan Beck - SC Department of Veterans Affairs, Nathaniel Knox, DAV - Bank of the Lowcountry, William Ellis - Mellow Coffee, Ace Hardware, Press and Standard, Patricia Grant and Patricia Williams – Parade Judges, Jeffery Musgrave – Announcer, and Grand Marshal Float participants.”
