Hundreds of veterans and their families packed the North Charleston Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, Nov. 11, for the city's 24th annual Tribute to Veterans ceremony, Live 5 News reported.
The Department of Defense and the Veterans Day National Committee selected North Charleston as a Regional Site for Veterans Day 2026, according to the city's event page. North Charleston is the only site in South Carolina and has received the designation for 16 consecutive years, the city said.
The ceremony was expected to honor more than 500 veterans, WCBD reported. The city's event page also noted that more than 500 veterans are honored each year.
Mayor Reggie Burgess and City Council recognized veterans in attendance, according to both the city and WCBD. Every veteran received a custom-designed commemorative coin, the city's event page stated. Burgess gave remarks sharing his experience coming from a military family, Live 5 reported.
Retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Terrence A. Adams delivered the keynote address, according to the city, WCBD and ABC News 4. WCBD described Adams as the former deputy principal cyber advisor to the Secretary of the Army and former commander of Joint Base Charleston. The city's event page lists his title as deputy principal cyber advisor to the Secretary of War, a title that differs from WCBD's description.
Adams, who served 39 years, spoke about the love of nation, family and friends during what he called a "tough time for the nation," according to Live 5. He encouraged the audience to remember the power of love and described a campaign he calls "shout love," the station reported.
Adams was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, and enlisted in the Army as a private after high school, according to the city's biography. After six years of Army service, he entered the Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Alabama State University after graduating from Auburn University in Montgomery, Alabama.
City officials also recognized the oldest and youngest female and male veterans at the ceremony, Live 5 reported. The oldest male veteran in attendance was 103 years old, and his female counterpart was 94.
The tribute is part of a broader day of Veterans Day observances across the Lowcountry. ABC News 4 listed several events happening Wednesday across the Charleston region.
