Eleven years after the Battle of Rivers Bridge, a local South Carolina group of young men formed the Rivers Bridge Confederate Memorial Association. Not far from the Salekehatchie River Battlefield a memorial park was established and the Confederate dead were reburied at the new site. The association continued to meet every year to honor the dead and proudly recall the only major southern opposition to General Sherman's March through the Carolinas. Although vastly outnumbered, the Confederate troops held off Sherman's advance for two days until they were finally forced from their breastworks. A three-quarter mile trail, complete with interpretive panels, leads visitors to one of the best preserved battle sites in South Carolina.
   President Woodrow Wilson, commemorating an armistice between Germany and the Allied nations, declared it a special day on the 11th month, the 11th day and the 11th hour of 1918. His proclamation suggested that the day should be filled with solemn pride for those who died in service to their country. Originally known as Armistice Day, the commemorative day was changed to honor all American veterans, including those from the Confederate military.
   Over the years, the intentions of Veterans Day not only extended honor and a well deserved thank you to all military service personnel, but began to place the emphasis on those living veterans. The Veterans Day National Ceremony is held each year on November 11th at Arlington National Cemetery. At 11 am, a color guard, made up of members from each of the military services, renders honor to America's war dead during a traditional ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

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