On Tuesday, the nation will pause to honor military veterans.
One local man is excited to participate in the celebrations every year.
Guy Brooks is a proud Marine Sergeant who served in World War II from September 1943 until the War ended in 1945.
"That's once in a lifetime, you never go through anything like that twice. I hope not anyway. We would lose more Marines in one battle than they've lost in Iraq since the War started,” Brooks said.
According to the Congressional Research Service, nearly 405,000 Americans died in World War II.
Brooks flies his American flag with pride, knowing he is part of what some call the greatest generation. He says the War not only profoundly changed his life, but also this nation.
"We may have been here today, but we would not be Americans, because there would be no America,” Brooks said.
As the motto goes, once a Marine, always a Marine. Brooks is proud to honor them every day, not just on Veterans Day.
Brooks will participate in the 30th Annual Veterans Day Parade in Columbia on Tuesday. The parade starts at the corner of Sumter and Laurel Streets around 11 a.m.
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