Staff Writer

Long after his days in uniform are complete, the memories of his time in Iraq and the soldiers with whom he served will linger, Major Randy Burnett said.

“Even when I hang this suit up, I'll always reflect in their pride and their willingness to serve their country,” said Burnett, an Army Reserve member who recently returned after a year's deployment in the Middle East.

Burnett said there were 11 soldiers with whom he bonded during training at Fort Hood, Texas. Their mission was to become embedded in the Iraqi Army where he was a military transition advisor.

“We were pretty much working autonomously,” he said. “The closest U.S. forces were 60 miles south of us. Sixty miles through the air is not that far, but 60 miles on the ground in a Humvee is pretty far.”

Having to be independent made the men stronger and more trusting of each other's skills, Burnett said. He said through God's protection, none of the group of American soldiers with whom he served were injured, though there were plenty of opportunities for injuries, including insurgent attacks.

“Those people will always be part of my life,” he said. “There is a common bond between all of us, no matter what uniform we are wearing or wore in the past.”

Burnett said he remembers telling his father, who also is a veteran, that they now have something in common.

“We have Veterans Day,” he said.

The ceremony featured an F-16 flyover by the Flying Bengals from Beaufort and a performance by The Citadel Band.

Commander Mike Alverson, director of music at The Citadel, said he and the band enjoy their annual trip to Union.

“It's great what you all are doing,” said Alverson. “What an education for the young people.”

Also on Monday, parade marshal Les Kingsmore, a World War II veteran and veteran of the year Alton Barker, a retired Army master sergeant, were recognized.

Two Gold Star Mothers who had sons killed in Vietnam were recognized. They are Azalee Ashe of Lockhart, whose son, Frankie, was killed in 1966 while serving in the Marines, and Hattie Lyles of Carlisle, whose son, Belton, was killed in 1965 while serving in the Army.

Union County Veterans Day Committee chairman Jantzen Childers said he appreciated the size of the crowd who turned out for the parade. Still, he said, there are other veterans who could have attended.

“This is a wonderful crowd, and next year I want it to be better,” he said. “I want you to encourage every veteran you know to be here, let us honor them. That's what it's all about, honoring our veterans.”