Columbia, S.C. (WACH) — On Friday morning, the South Carolina Combat Veterans Group gathered at the Vietnam War Memorial on Gadsden Street to honor the men and women who served in the Vietnam War, ensuring their stories are never forgotten.
“These people risked their lives, they gave their lives, I risked my life, and many of the veterans here today did the same thing,” said Commander Tommy Olds, a Vietnam veteran.
Sheriff Leon Lott of Richland County emphasized the rarity of military service, stating, “Less than 1% of Americans served in our military, this is that 1% right here.”
Memorial Park, a site that many in Columbia may not know exists, was the focal point for veterans and families who gathered to pay tribute. Commander Olds expressed the importance of awareness, saying, “Sometimes I wonder, do people know they have family member’s names on this wall, do they know these people they went to school with whose name is on this wall, grandfathers, uncles, nephews, and parents. Somebody is related to these people. We want to bring attention to it, we want people to never forget what happened in Vietnam.”…