Sumter County Veterans Association cancels Veterans Day parade because of COVID-19
PHOTOS BY MICAH GREEN / THE SUMTER ITEM
Giovanni Sanchez Mercantini salutes as the Crestwood High School Jr. ROTC marches by during the Veterans Day parade through downtown Sumter in 2019.
Giovanni Sanchez Mercantini salutes as the Crestwood High School Jr. ROTC marches by during the Veterans Day parade through downtown Sumter in 2019.
Timere Washington and Tyceir Luckey wave flags during the Veterans Day parade in downtown Sumter in 2019.
Veterans sit at the front of the crowd for Sumter County's Veterans Day program in 2019 at the old courthouse downtown.
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The Sumter County Veterans Association has canceled its Veterans Day parade and program scheduled for Nov. 11 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Larry E. Huff, chairman of the Sumter County Veterans Association, said in a news release, "We regret having to cancel the scheduled events, but we are concerned about the public's health. We believe that following the CDC's guidelines of social distancing and wearing masks, we are contributing to the community's wellbeing."
The association will, however, be passing out flags to be placed on graves of veterans. Cemetery representatives are asked to come by the Farmers Market Building at the corner of West Liberty Street and Artillery Drive to receive the flags on Nov. 7 at 8 a.m.