News 12 at 6 o' clock/ May 26, 2012
AIKEN, S.C.--Many spent their Memorial Day weekend in Aiken to honor the veterans and fallen heroes.
Hundreds of people from all over South Carolina and Georgia showed up with enthusiasm and lined the streets with flags.
The parade included live music from Signal Corps bands and patriotic floats; even dogs and horses joined the show. They showed their gratitude and respect for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham stated, "Memorial day is not just a start to summer. It's the day we set aside to remember the fallen."
He added, "This is the largest memorial day parade in South Carolina. There are only a handful of memorial day parades left, really."
But the real guest stars were the countless veterans and active duty military. They talked about the importance of remebering the heroes who never made it back home.
Corporal Clifton Halten who serves the Marine Corps just came back from Afgahnistan. He spoke about a friend he lost in Iraq.
Corporal Halten explained the difficulty of losing his peer by saying, "It's kind of hard, because I not only know the face, I know the name, I know the history, I know his relatives..." He also added, "[the loss] really makes you think about what you've taken for granted in the past."
The retired Sergeant Major B.T. Barnes also spoke about a friend whom he lost in the war.
"His name was John Cruise. I'll never forget John as long as I live, because he and I were very close. He's the first [World War II] veteran killed from the city of Columbia, and he's buried in Columbia."
Another retired Major General Perry M. Smith from U.S. Air Force mentioned wearing a Marine shirt in memory of Jimmie Dyess for the parade.
General Smith explained that one of Augusta's greatest heroes, Jimmie Dyess, was his wife's father. Jimmie Dyess won a Carnegie award and the Medal of Honor for his service.
The respect and memories of the fallen heroes highlight the true meaning of Memorial Day.
General Smith remarked, "[Memorial Day] is not a day for veterans and for general patriotism. It's to remind us of all the Jimmie Dyess's in the world."
He went on to talk about his roommate, Don Howard from West Point, and the importance of remembering those who died in combat, along with bringing their legacy forward.
Aiken has the largest Memorial Day parade in the state of South Carolina.
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