Columbia Celebrates Veterans with Week of Honoring Events and Career Opportunities

Columbia Remembers and Honors Veterans This Week

Hey there, Columbia! Veterans Day may have been just a few days ago on November 11, but the celebrations and acknowledgments for our brave military Veterans are far from over. Throughout this week, our community is coming together to show appreciation and provide valuable resources for those who have served our country. Here’s a sneak peek at the events lined up for Wednesday and Thursday, November 13 and 14, that you won’t want to miss!

Honoring Our Hero: Veteran of the Year Ceremony

First up on the agenda is an inspiring ceremony that’ll tug at your heartstrings. This Wednesday at 11 a.m., the Dorn VA Auditorium located at 6437 Garners Ferry Rd will host a special event where this year’s Veteran of the Year will be announced. Drumroll, please… the honor goes to Retired Army Command Sergeant Major Robert L. Clark, who dedicated an incredible 32 years to serving in the U.S. Army. His remarkable journey is filled with numerous awards, decorations, and recognition. What an amazing way to shine a light on the dedication of our Veterans!

Get Moving for Lung Cancer Awareness

But wait, there’s more! From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the same day, the Lung Cancer Screening Awareness Walk will take place at the Dorn VA Medical Center’s Wellness Path. This event focuses on raising awareness about lung cancer, a critical health issue for many Veterans. Participants can enjoy a refreshing walk while listening to inspirational stories from Veterans who have bravely fought and overcome lung cancer. Plus, it’s a fantastic chance to chat with medical experts in oncology, gain insights about screening, and enjoy some light refreshments post-walk. Grab your walking shoes and let’s promote health together!

Career Counseling for Veterans

Transitioning back to civilian life can be tough, but that’s where the next event comes in! On Thursday, November 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Veterans’ Career Counseling Day is happening at the Phillips Market Center, 117 Ballard Court, West Columbia. This in-person event is tailored for Veterans seeking job opportunities. Attendees can tap into personalized career counseling, gain invaluable resume assistance, and learn all about state employment opportunities. It’s a golden chance for Veterans to discover how their military skills can translate into new job openings. Let’s get those resumes polished up!

Virtual Career Fair for a Wider Reach

If that wasn’t enough, hold onto your hats for the Veterans’ Virtual Career Fair, scheduled for November 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is an excellent opportunity for Veterans to explore career options with not just one, but over 40 state agencies and institutions of higher learning! Interested participants can register now and explore everything from accounting to health care and even law enforcement careers. Each agency will have a virtual booth where job seekers can chat live with human resources representatives. How cool is that?

Let’s Join Together!

So, there you have it, Columbia! This week is packed with meaningful activities to honor our Veterans and to support their journey beyond military life. Whether you’re walking for awareness, acknowledging a Veteran of the Year, gaining career insights, or exploring job opportunities online, your participation can make a difference. Let’s rally together as a community to show our appreciation and support for those who have dedicated their lives to serve our nation. Together, we can uplift our Veterans, one step at a time!