Veterans Day parade honors heroes

Guy Brooks embraced every smile, every cheer and every bit of applause as he maintained a steady cadence through downtown Columbia on Monday morning.

The 82-year-old loves a parade.

But as thousands gathered to salute him and other war heroes during the city’s annual Veterans Day Parade, the retired Marine again was reminded of the results of their sacrifices.

“I can realize now what we fought for,” Brooks said.

Brooks of Columbia was one of four area World War II Marine veterans honored during the annual parade that featured a spirited display of marching bands, military tanks, JROTC units and scores of flag-waving onlookers.

“I want them to know the significance (of the sacrifices),” said Brooks, whose uniform was clad with rows of medals that marked his past stands for freedom.

On Monday, Brooks took his place alongside 82-year-old Bo James, 86-year-old Nick Noto and 83-year-old George Heifner. The four are members of the Columbia Marine Corps League, one of the 62 groups featured in the parade.

As the Marine Corps and other units made their way down Sumter Street during the nearly 90-minute parade, they were showered with screams and applause from the several thousand who turned out to pay tribute.

“Patriotism is heavy here,” said Heifner, originally from Michigan but who has since relocated to South Carolina. “This is the most patriotic state I’ve ever been in.”

The veteran attributes much of that attitude to the strong military ties in the Columbia area. Strong evidence of those ties was rampant along the parade route. Some supporters held signs, others wore uniforms and even the youngest seemed to show a strong appreciation for the nation’s veterans.

“Stand up, everybody,” a young spectator yelled out to his pre-school group as a unit of soldiers passed in front.

For many, the thank-yous were more personal.

Columbia’s Billy Mustard fought back emotion as he expressed his gratitude for the service of the nation’s military.

“It’s just a thanks for what they are doing,” Mustard said, explaining why he and his wife, Lisa Mustard, were present.

Billy Mustard had been a longtime friend of Marine Capt. Daniel McCollum of Irmo, who lost his life in a transport plane crash in 2002 while serving in southwest Pakistan. And when Mustard’s voice trailed off during his expression of gratitude, his wife completed his thoughts.

“Coming out today is so symbolic of what Dan stood for,” she said.

“It hits closer to home,” Billy Mustard continued. “Today’s conflicts (across the world) make the possibility (of loss) more real, so it’s felt a lot deeper.”

Joining the veterans Monday were members of many area junior ROTC groups.

Keisha Denny, a squad member from Eau Claire, said she was honored to be a part of such a remembrance, adding she and many others her age have many of their freedoms because of the sacrifices of those like Brooks and Heifner.

“Kids think they have been through many crises, but the soldiers have been through more,” she said.

Heifner said he believes more people — particularly younger people — are coming to appreciate that observation.

“They are learning something here,” he said.