An official United States public holiday honoring all who have served in our country’s armed forces, Veterans Day is commemorated on November 11.
Once celebrated as Armistice Day, the date is significant in that it marks the day when major hostilities of World War I formally ended in 1918: on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
In Bluffton, the Annual Veterans Day Parade sponsored by the Dennis J. Becker American Legion Post 205 will march through the streets of Old Town starting at 10 a.m. on November 11. Led by Grand Marshal Sgt. Major Tom (Santa) Story, the parade (weather permitting) winds its way from Alljoy Road to Calhoun Street, along Promenade Street, and ends at Dr. Mellichamp Drive at noon.
Up until 2015, Post 205 participated in Beaufort’s county-organized Veterans Day Parade.
However, as a Bluffton post, it was decided to honor hometown veterans right here with full cooperation from the Bluffton Police and Fire Department.
Parade includes the Bluffton Fire and Police Honor Guard, the Bluffton High School Band, fire trucks, EMS, entries from several local businesses, Haven veterans and patriots, a World War II Jeep and Dennis J. Becker Post 205 floats.
For a map of the parade route, participant registration and Post meeting information, visit alpost205.org or email vetparade@alpost205.net.
Take time this Veterans Day to go to the Bluffton Memorial possible. This solemn granite tribute to fallen soldiers, located on May River Road near Calhoun Street, was designed to include all Bluffton veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice from World War I through the Vietnam War.
Ansley Manuel who organized and raised the money to fund the project and the generous donors who made the Memorial possible.
Bluffton Memorial Donors:
- Anonymous
- Anthony Barrett
- Mary Vaux Bell
- Leah Bellamy
- Victor and Nancy Berry
- The Bluffton Breeze
- Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce
- The Bluffton Packet
- Bluffton Historical Preservation Society
- The Bluffton Promenade Association
- The Bluffton Sun
- William and Nedra Brown
- Laura Bush
- Carolina Granite and Marble
- Gene and Kathy Cashman
- George Cathcart
- Charter One Realty
- Nonie Colonna
- Doug Corkern
- The Corner Perk
- Josh Cooke
- Hank Cram
- EggsNTricities
- Mary Emerson
- Andy Fishkind and Ellen Malphrus
- Jeff Fulgham
- Pierce and Pressly Giltner
- Charlie and Nancy Golson
- The Mary Elizabeth Graves Endowment Fund
- John Graves
- Reverend Gwen Green
- Don and Babbie Guscio
- Jamie and Lori Guscio
- Will and Dorothy Guscio
- Catherine Guscio
- The Hardeeville Masonic Lodge
- Louisa Harrison
- Chris and Natalie Hefter
- Bill and Mary Herbkersman
- John and Jean Hester
- Robert and Jane Hester
- Frank and Patsy Hodge
- Shellie Hodges
- Ted and Donna Huffman
- George and Jackie Jones
- Jeff and Amber Kuehn
- Tripp and Ansley Manuel
- Jacob Martin
- Bill McCracken
- Emmett and Teddy McCracken
- Morris Variety Shop
- Rod and Julie Musselman
- Jim and Julie O’Donnell
- Court Ogilvie
- John and Marge Ogilvie
- Palmetto State Bank
- Lucy Robinson
- Martin and Diane Sauls
- Jim Sauter
- Druella Schultz
- Michele Rodán Shaw
- Colonel Dick Stewart
- Randolph Stewart
- Secrest Sutherland
- Talk of the Town
- Loretta Wells
- Buddy Wilson
- WJCL
- WSAV
