Daughter asks for drive-through parade participants for WWII veteran's 94th birthday in Summerton

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Jocelyn Walker is celebrating her father’s birthday this Saturday in style with a drive-through motorcycle ride.

Walker partnered with Clarendon County Veterans’ Affairs to have a drive-by parade to honor her father, Algie Walker, a World War II Navy veteran, on his 94th birthday on Feb. 20 from 1 to 2 p.m. at Summerton Presbyterian Church on 16 S. Cantey St. She said they have been putting out an open call to veteran motorcycle groups for the past several weeks to make this a special celebration for her father.

She said they have invited between six to 10 groups. She has even received calls from people outside of Summerton interested in being a part of the event.

“It got really big really fast,” Walker said about the groups. “We had a really good call back from the motorcycle groups we asked to come, so its going to be a really big thing here in Summerton."

Growing up listening to her father’s war stories, she heard about his experiences during the war. She said he was glad to return home after the war to start his business, Walker Piano, in 1947 and become a piano technician.

She said anyone in the community who wants to can drive by the church and help wish her father a happy birthday.

Riders will meet in the parking lot behind Main Street at 1:30 p.m. and ride down to the grounds of Clarkson Fellowship Hall next to the church. She asks that anyone who does come wear masks and comply with CDC guidelines on COVID-19 safety at the birthday celebration.