COLUMBIA â Hundreds of green duffle bags were stacked in piles, like bags of mulch, at the ticket counters.
A sea of young trainees in camouflage masks and Army uniforms marched through the Columbia Metropolitan Airport ushered by drill sergeants through security. Some eager soldiers grabbed hot coffee and sugar cookies handed out by volunteers. A few of the privates moseyed to their terminal gate early, taking time to charge their cellphones or text loved ones.
Hannah Tyler from Fort Jackson sips her coffee before heading back home to Hartford, Conn., from Columbia Metropolitan Airport on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, in Lexington County. Andrew J. Whitaker/Staff