Veterans Day is a federal holiday recognized each November to celebrate and honor all U.S. veterans — deceased or living.

West Columbia City Hall will be closed on Veterans Day in observance. The City of West Columbia will resume normal hours on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

There are several veterans in the West Columbia Police Department. They are:

• Blake Hill-Army
• Justin Shumpert-USMC
• Tyler Thompson-Army
• David Myers-Army
• Hunter Neeley- Army
• Mike Johnson- USMC
• Chris Bailey-Army
• Marion Boyce-Army
• Kameron Walter-Army  

Nov. 11 marks the end of World War I. Veterans Day was established to commemorate the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.” when WWI ended. Veterans Day now honors all veterans from all wars.

Veterans Day falls is a federal holiday recognized nationwide. With millions of veterans living in the United States, it’s a day many communities celebrate with festivals, parades, and recognition of local vets. Originally called Armistice Day, that name changed in 1954 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially switched it to Veterans Day.

Locally, there is a group that meets in West Columbia and looks out for veterans. Lexington County Quilts of Valor, meets at Creative Sewing Machine Center at 519 12th Street. On last year’s Veterans Day the group presented quilts to four veterans at All Saints Episcopal Church on State Street.

Denise Derriso; Haskell Langford; James Stewart and James Judy received quilts from Gail Sullivan of the Lexington County Quilts of Valor Foundation.

Denise was a combat war specialist and served in Iraq and several other stations. Debee Early made her Quilt of Valor and presented it to Denise with Gail. Haskell received his quilt with his wife, Paula by his side. He is a US Marine who served in the Iraq War and was injured several times.

James is a veteran of the Air Force. He served in Kuwait and accepted his quilt with his daughter, Sam. James Judy is a US Army veteran who served in Korea and Germany and accepted his quilt with his son.

In May, Quilts of Valor came to the the West Columbia Disabled American Veterans Meeting and presented two quilts to Veterans Rosemunda Butler, US Army, and Lorene Capers, US Navy.

Lexington Two Schools also honor Veterans.

Allison Swygert is a Career Specialist at West Columbia’s Fulmer Middle School. There will be a Veterans Day Recognition Program at the school on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 9:30 a.m.

“We’ll have snacks and coffee for Veterans and guests and students will present a special program just for our Veterans,” Allison said. All Veterans and their families are invited to attend.”

“There will be special presentations from our chorus, band, strings and art students. They’ll sing patriotic songs and the art students hand made cards for the veterans.”
Allison said the program gives students the opportunity to recognize and thank Veterans for their service to the country.

Last year we had our highest turnout for the Veterans day program. We had around 60 Veterans. They’re very grateful for the recognition and gratitude we show them,” Allison said. “It’s very touching.”

Who else is a veteran?

SC House Rep. Micah Caskey, of West Columbia, is a 10-year US Marine Corps Veteran. From 2004 to 2009, he served two tours of duty in Iraq and 1 tour in Afghanistan. In 2013, he left the Marine Corps as a Captain.

“Veterans Day to thank the people who have dedicated themselves to serving our country,” Caskey said. “Not just the combat veterans, but everyone who serves. They are stationed away from their family and friends. Our soldiers, all of them, do a lot to protect us.

Caskey said he speaks at Veterans Day events every year, except this year he will be in Nashville on Veterans Day, and is not speaking publicly. He said the birthday of the US Marine Corps. is Nov. 10. “I’m very proud of the Marines Corps, and I will celebrate the Marine Corps birthday, too.”

Veterans Day Commemorations in and around West Columbia:

There will be a Veterans day Celebration at Ebenezer Pentecostal Holiness Church at 3 p.m. on Saturday Nov. 5. The event will feature Soldiers of Faith Singers, Quest Speakers, Exhibitors, and a presentation of Quilts of Valor.

Lexington County area veterans are invited to recognition events at Lexington Two schools for Veterans Day.

Following is a sampling of programs. Contact schools for additional information.

• Fulmer Middle School in West Columbia: Annual Veterans Day recognition program, with special presentations by chorus, band, strings and art students. Area veterans and families are invited, and light refreshments will be served. Call the office if you’d like to attend, (803) 822-5660, or just stop by. 9:30 a.m. November 11, gymnasium
• Saluda River Academy for the Arts, in West Columbia: Second- and third-graders will present “Americans We” in recognition of Veterans Day. 9 a.m. (second grade), 12:30 p.m. (third grade) November 11, SRAA stage
• Springdale Elementary School: Veterans Day parade on the playground, to include the Airport High School JROTC and band. Springdale Elementary parent/veteran is a featured speaker. 1 p.m. November 11
  Busbee Creative Arts Academy: Annual Veterans Day program will include performances by students in band, orchestra, dance, theatre, and chorus, as well as poems and reading selections. 9:30 a.m. November 7, cafetorium
• Congaree Elementary School: Annual Veterans Day program. 9:30 a.m. November 11, cafetorium
  Wood Elementary School: Veterans Day program and parade, with guest veterans invited to participate in a parade through the school. 8:15 a.m. November 11, cafetorium. Wood Elementary is also raising funds, through October 31, for the Disabled American Veterans DAV. If the school reaches its goal of $250, it will get 24 flags to plant outside the front of the building in honor of its Veterans Day celebration. Details: https://support.dav.org/participants/woodelementary.