Last weekend marked the 23rd year of the Salute to the Veterans Corporation’s air show display at the Columbia Regional Airport.
The annual show honored those who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces, National Guard, Reserves and Allies. The free show featured demonstrations by dignitary flight teams, including the U.S. Air Force C-17A Globemaster III and A-10 West Thunderbolt, the Canadian National CF-18 Hornet and the legendary Tuskegee Airmen.
The Memorial Day Weekend event is the first American air show and one of three like it in the nation. This year’s theme was “Never Forget Their Sacrifices.”
“We raise the money by contributions from civic groups, associations, corporations and individuals,” said Mary McCleary Posner, a recipient of the Air Force’s American Spirit Award and a coordinator of the show.
The group, founded in 1989, aims to honor war veterans through parades, air shows and static displays. The group also constructs permanent memorials to honor veterans.
More than 30,000 people attended the show, which continues to grow in size, public participation and national awareness each year.
“We attend (the air show) every year,” Columbia Police Department officer Kim Roush said. “It’s something we look forward to. It’s entirely neat and different.”
