They stood erect and proud, a long line holding American flags.

All were veterans, survivors of Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

All had served in the Air Force, the Army, the Navy or the Marine corps.

None were young.

The oldest was a veteran, age 93 named Bernie. He lives in Blythwood and rides his bike every day, his daughter Sharon, a fellow veteran, told a reporter.

They were standing in welcome to military and first responder families to this year’s “Evening of Remembrance” last Tuesday.

It was the 17th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon that took almost 3,000 American lives.

The annual event at the 9-11 Memorial at the Columbia Convention Center was organized by retired US Army Col. Dan Hennigan of Lexington and volunteers.

Attending were Fort Jackson commanding Gen. Milton Beagle, Congressman Joe Wilson of Springdale and other first responders, military veterans and their families.

Among the speakers was Hamp Caughman, Jr., of Lexington, who lost a son in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Caughman told the crowd the horror of seeing almost 3,000 fellow Americans die on 9-11 deeply moved his son Thomas, a 20-year-old Lexington High graduate.

As a result, Thomas joined the Army Reserves.

He knew the risks he faced when he went to Iraq, his father said.

Caughman told veterans, first responders and their families that one of his son’s teachers told him how deeply affected Thomas had been by 9-11.

Thomas became the 17th South Carolinian killed in action in Iraq on June 9, 2004, when his armored vehicle was hit by an explosive device near Baghdad.

“I have always had a special feeling for first responders and those in the military,” Caughman told the crowd Tuesday evening.

“But since our son’s death, my feelings for them have deepened.”