Anderson County honors Veterans Day with parades, ceremonies and special events

Anderson County continues to honor veterans with parades and special ceremonies as Veterans Day approaches on Sunday, Nov. 12.

AnMed has more than 100 veterans on staff and was recently honored with the Bronze Standard, a prestigious award from the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs.

AnMed hosted a special Veterans Day event on Nov. 2 in the Oglesby Center Atrium.

The South Carolina Veterans Affairs recognizes AnMed's efforts as a Veteran friendly employer with the Bronze Standard award.

"This award serves as a testament to our human resources, leadership and veterans who have worked together to assist each other," VetNet Chairman Mark Joczik said.

"We our committed to our team members and we want to benefit from the characteristics of military life. They represent the same characteristics that benefit us as an organization. We can take some of those experiences and put them to work here to improve the quality of health in Anderson Country," AnMed Chief diversity officer Juana Slade said.

AnMed's Veterans Day event honored veterans, active duty service members, and military families for their service.

Army Veteran Gregory Nix was AnMed's Keynote Speaker. Nix served for over 10 years, then embarked on a journey of healing and transformation. He shared his story of hope and resilience and asked attendees to be resilient in their own struggles.

"I'm still adjusting to civilian life after the military. Getting out was a lot more challenging than I thought it was going to be. Seeing like-minded people like myself means a lot," Nix said.

As part of the event, Quilts of Valor presented quilts to Anmed employees and Military veterans: AnMed Navy Veteran Dr. Leander Cannick, Army Veteran Ansel Junkins, Navy Veteran Stephanie Whitfield and Army veteran Bobbie McDonald.

"It was a reminder of the importance of supporting our veterans in any way we can," Cannick said. "It's an honor to receive a quilt from the Quilts of Valor, and it's overwhelming to think about the military members that have come before me and the ones that I served with. This quilt honors them for their service."

Temple Baptist Church holds annual Veterans Day Breakfast

In honor of Veterans Day, Temple Baptist Church held its annual free Veterans Breakfast on Nov. 1.

Veterans and guests were invited to the event. Pastor Mike Hawkins said attendance has increased from "30 to 40 people to over 200 people."

"This event was in support of the Veterans to let them know they are loved and appreciated," he said.

Keynote Speaker Navy Marine Dan Helvey shared his thoughts on veterans.

"Veterans have fought battles I have not, they paved the way for the freedoms we have in our country and they are due our respect," Helvey said.

This event was opportunity for veterans to meet other veterans.

"Nobody knows how they lived and survived the time they were in the Service but other veterans," Hawkins said.

In honor of Veterans Day, Anderson County holds parade

Anderson County held their annual Veterans Day parade Nov. 5 in downtown Anderson.

More than 20 moving units (cars, floats, military vehicles, motorcycles) participated in the parade. Local businesses also participated in the parade, with employees and customers lining the streets.

Donations were also collected to help Veterans helping Veterans of Anderson.

This event is special to our community because this is one of the few Veterans Parades in the Upstate. Event organizer Randy Bratcher said in a phone interview. "It is important to remember and honor our Veterans for the sacrifice to our Country."

Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: In honor of Veterans Day, Anderson County pays tribute to veterans