Columbia veterans honored with annual Veterans Day celebration

Columbia veterans honored with annual Veterans Day celebration The 11-11-11 Club in Columbia, Lancaster County, held its annual tribute to veterans, featuring speeches, music, and personal stories from service members, including Vietnam veteran Stu Huggens. Advertisement Updated: 7:58 PM EST Nov 11, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Nicole Beltran Reporter Columbia veterans honored with annual Veterans Day celebration The 11-11-11 Club in Columbia, Lancaster County, held its annual tribute to veterans, featuring speeches, music, and personal stories from service members, including Vietnam veteran Stu Huggens. Updated: 7:58 PM EST Nov 11, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Nicole Beltran Reporter COLUMBIA, Pa. — The 11-11-11 Club in Columbia, Lancaster County, hosted its annual tribute to veterans, honoring their service with speeches, music, and heartfelt stories. As the clock struck 11, attendees rose to honor the flag under which they fought, accompanied by the sound of bells and the national anthem. Advertisement "It's a great, great honor. And it's a great, great feeling," said Harry Knighton, a Navy veteran. This year’s keynote speaker was Stu Huggens, a Vietnam veteran, musician, and Columbia graduate. "So this is my first time, and I hope I do an okay job," Huggens said as he stepped up to the podium. Reflecting on his journey, Huggens shared, "Started when I graduated and joined the Marine Corps. From there on. You look around here, you see all the pictures of guys who have died in war from Columbia. And I feel like I'd be honoring them." Huggens recounted his experiences crossing the jungles of Vietnam, moving the room with his heartfelt stories. "I was so terrified so quick," he said. He also performed music, sharing lyrics that resonated deeply with the audience, capturing the emotions and memories of his time in service. "I'm just really proud of my dad," said Keri Edwards, Huggens' daughter. "To know that that gentle man, you know, went through the things that he went through and to hear some of the stories, it's, it's a lot. I teared up a couple times." The event highlighted the sacrifices of veterans and the deep connections they share with their families and communities. Make WGAL a preferred source on Google Add Preferred Source Share Infinite Scroll Enabled Top Picks JoBe Cerny, who voiced the Pillsbury Doughboy, has died Lessie Benningfield Randle, the last known Tulsa Race Massacre survivor, turns 112 They longed to hold their fragile NICU babies. A new device made it possible 106-year-old WWII veteran reflects on his service and provides life advice