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Sumter holds Veterans Day ceremony

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jensen Stidham
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  A Veterans Day ceremony hosted by the Sumter County Veterans Association was held at the Sumter County Courthouse, Sumter S.C., Nov. 11.

As American flags waved in the sun, more than 400 veterans, military members, and local residents gathered for the event.

During the ceremony, the presentation of the colors, national anthem, and Pledge of Allegiance among many other customs were observed.

The guest speaker Col. Stephen Jost, 20th Fighter Wing commander, spoke about his appreciation for service members, past and present and the freedom they have provided.

"Many citizens in our land take the freedom and security afforded to them by our nation's military for granted," said Jost. "They go about their business unaware and or unappreciative of the sacrifices that relatively few have made for so many others, and not just for our country but around the world. The few I speak of are our military servicemen and women, those that have answered our nations call. They have promised to defend our country and its citizens, and followed through on that nations call in peace and in war."

Jost also spoke on the community motto "uncommon patriotism" saying, "Sumter knows how to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of our military men and women, not just on Veterans Day or Memorial Day, but every day they get a chance."

At the end of his speech, Jost initiated a moment of silence to reflect on the sacrifices that veterans and their families have made for the nation.

A 3-volley rifle salute, the playing of taps and listening to the song "God Bless the U.S.A." by Lee Greenwood marked the end of the ceremony.

"The ceremony was wonderful," said retired U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Lew Wallace. "I think there are so many people that forget what we have done and this brings them all together."

Veterans Day is only a small way of honoring the more than 20 million veterans throughout the United States for their selfless sacrifice to our nation.