On Wednesday, November 11, Veterans Day activities will be held to honor area military veterans. A memorial service will be conducted at 10:30 am at the corner of Sumter and Washington Streets. The annual Veterans Day Parade Downtown will be from 11 am to 2 pm.

The Parade will run northbound on Sumter Street beginning at Laurel Street. There will be parking and traffic restrictions along the parade route between 9 am and 2 pm.

Presented by the City of Columbia and supported by Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, the parade will feature approximately 75 entries including historic military vehicles; Veterans Service Organizations such as the Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and others; marching units, color guards; floats; and bands.

Parade Grand Marshal for 2009 is Colonel Charles P. Murray Jr. (retired), representing veterans of WWII, Korean, and Vietnam wars. This year’s Celebrity Master of Ceremony is Tim Miller, a television personality and community supporter.

Columbia’s Veterans Day Parade began in 1978. The parade is designed to help commemorate and honor our veterans and to educate Americans about the service and sacrifices our veterans have made to protect our freedoms.