(Columbia) June 30, 2003 - More than 20,000 people turned out at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia to welcome home soldiers who fought in Iraq.

WIS is teamed up with the City of Columbia, Richland and Lexington Counties, Columbia's First Baptist Church and Brookland Baptist Church in West Columbia, and several other businesses and organizations for a special celebration of liberty.

Governor Mark Sanford, Senator Lindsay Graham of Seneca and US Representative Joe Wilson of Lexington were among those on hand for the nearly two hours of speeches, music and pageantry.

More than 800 singers, dancers and musicians performed at the America 2003 event Sunday night. The performance honored those who took part in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and veterans of all wars.

The America 2003 patriotic program Sunday night was revised to include a tribute to the late Senator Strom Thurmond after his family gave permission. WIS News 10's David Stanton narrated a four minute television piece honoring Thurmond. Senator Thurmond was a staunch supporter of the military, a strong advocate for veterans and a decorated war veteran himself.

Dr. Charles Jackson of Brookland Baptist Church, which is produced the event with First Baptist Church of Columbia, says, "This event enables us to demonstrate a measure of unity and solidarity that transcends categories that often separate us."

Governor Mark Sanford proclaimed the week of June 29-July 5 as America 2003 Week in South Carolina, and he named America 2003 the first official statewide event for the week.

The service was the state's official "Welcome Home" celebration for troops returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom. At least 9,400 active duty, reservists or National Guard troops were deployed from South Carolina during the operation.

By Jennifer Miskewicz
Updated 9:00am by Eva Pilgrim