On this Veterans Day, we salute and thank all the men and women who have served in America’s armed forces.

Our nation’s oldest World War II veteran celebrated his 112th birthday Sept. 12 in New Orleans.

His name is Lawrence Brooks.

Born in 1909, Brooks served in the U.S. Army from 1940 to 1945 as part of the predominantly African-American 91st Engineer Battalion.

My father-in-law, Emil Emanuel, is a WWII Army veteran who lives in Rock Hill and will be 95 in January.

Most South Carolinians do not realize the strategic value of our state in our national defense.

From Fort Jackson to Charleston’s Naval Shipyard and Coast Guard base to Sumter’s Shaw Air Force base to McEntire Air National Guard base, the state has a rich history of military might.

Have you discovered the S.C. Military Museum located across from Williams Brice Stadium?

In 1981, the National Guard Museum and State Weapons Collection opened as a museum in Sumter.

In 2007, the museum was officially moved to Columbia and opened as the Military Museum.

The museum now houses artifacts from the Revolutionary War up to the present.

The displays are impressive and well-documented. The museum includes

The museum includes military transport and weaponized vehicles, including a Korean War-era helicopter.

This year, the museum will be closed on Nov. 11 (Veterans Day) closed due to participation in the parade in Columbia.

The normal hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The museum is located at 1225 Bluff Rd. (behind the S.C. National Guard Headquarters) in Columbia.

Admission is free, although donations are appreciated.

Guided tours for groups up to 25 can be scheduled.

Call -803-299-444 or visit scmilitarymuseum.com for more information.

I took a group of senior adults recently, followed by lunch at the nearby Seawell’s restaurant.

The trip made us all proud of our state’s history.

There are about 22,000 veterans in Lexington County, roughly 7% of the county.

To each of you, we say, “Thank you for your service!”