COLUMBIA, S.C. — The annual Veterans Day Parade in downtown Columbia brought hundreds together to honor those who served, providing veterans and their supporters a special opportunity to connect and remember.
"We're all brothers and sisters," said Jim Malek, a Vietnam veteran.
At the parade Monday, Malek met fellow Vietnam veteran John Howe. While they might have just met, connected by their shared service, they talked to each other like they've been friends for years.
"We just met five minutes ago, and we're talking like you've seen a lost brother," said Malek.
"He flew, and I was on the ground, and there were many times that we appreciated the air support," added Howe.
Columbia residents line the street as high school bands, ROTC members, and politicians like Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann and Congressman Joe Wilson paid tribute to veterans.
Sharing stories from their time in Vietnam, they quickly bonded over experiences that only fellow service members might fully understand.
"I was two weeks before I got my high school diploma, I got a draft notice. So in a few months, four or five months after that, I was right at 19 years old, fighting in Vietnam," said Howe.
"I joined up the army, they said I didn't need a college degree to fly, and I joined up and spent a year in Vietnam flying the helicopter," said Malek.
For Howe, this year marked his first time attending the Columbia Veterans Day Parade, while Malek said he attends every year.
Now 77, Howe reflected on his gratitude for both his survival and the connections forged with fellow veterans. “A lot of guys…came back with no arms...some didn’t come back. So I’m blessed.”
Another attendee, Bill Kennedy, served six years in the Navy aboard submarines during the Cold War.
"I served aboard submarines. We traveled throughout the world. A lot of it was top secret things that we did during the Cold War and I was honored to do that," said Kennedy.
He says the parade is a chance to see the community come together to show gratitude for veterans’ sacrifices.
"I'm glad to see that people are still honoring our veterans,” he said. “They sacrificed a lot, and their families sacrificed a lot.”