Soldiers of 119th Honored in S.C., April 5, 1919

From The Daily Times, Wilson, N.C., Saturday, April 5, 1919

119^th Will Parade Today and South Carolina’s Capital Will Give a Big Welcome to Veterans. . . 

Metts Leads Soldiers

Columbia, S.C., April 5—The 119^th Infantry regiment of the 30^th division commanded by Col. V.B. Metts, paraded here this afternoon and received the big welcome which was planned by the city for the men of the division which are being demobilized at Camp Jackson.

A number of visitors from eastern North Carolina cities from which the division was recruited are here to witness the parade. The men are in fighting uniforms with helmets and fixed bayonets and carrying their war time equipment.

Columbia, S.C., April 5—South Carolina’s third official welcome for soldiers of the Thirtieth Division will be given here today with North Carolina troops again playing the leading part.

The first celebration was entirely for North Carolina, the second which was on a somewhat larger scale was participated in jointly by South Carolina and Tennessee while the entertainment today, will be for these soldiers of the “Old Hickory” Division who have reached Camp Jackson since the big celebration last Monday.

The official welcome today when the soldiers will be given the “freedom of the city” and refreshments in untold quantities without cost will be opened by a parade of the 119^th Infantry in full field equipment, commanded by colonel J. Van B. Metts of Wilmington, N.C.

After the parade the men will be dismissed to receive the hospitality of the city and State. From scores of booths refreshments will be distributed while in the afternoon and early evening a dozen dances will be given in various parts of the city.

Invitations have been sent a number of North Carolina cities to participate in the celebration and it is expected that many visitors will be present from the Old North State.