Augusta VA Medical Center holds Veterans Day parade through downtown

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Augusta VA Medical Center held its Veterans Day parade through the streets of downtown Augusta on Wednesday.The event included marching, music and a prayer for veterans. In the prayer, a speaker said, “Bless our veterans and their loved ones. Protect those serving today and strengthen their families.”A speaker said, “Today we pause to recognize Americans who answered the call to serve.” Another speaker said, “Their service did not end. It simply transitioned to another chapter.”Navy veteran now serves in Columbia CountyCharles Abbitt, a Navy veteran who served during Desert Storm, now works at the Columbia County Jail. He is identified on screen as a Columbia County Sheriff’s deputy.“It’s my way of still being able to serve,” Abbitt said. “Instead of serving my country, I serve the community now.”Abbitt said his desire to serve was inspired by his grandfather. He said his grandfather “served 29 years total between the Army and the Air Force.”“That was my