BEAUFORT, S.C. — An historic moment unfolded on Tuesday morning during Beaufort’s Annual Veterans Day Parade.

For the first time, a black woman has been chosen to serve as the Grand Marshal for the 2025 parade.

This honor was bestowed by the Beaufort County Veterans Affairs, the organization responsible for sponsoring the event.

Corporal Dorothy W. Johnson-Giddens, a Marine Corps veteran, hails from the community of Dale in Northern Beaufort County.

She completed her education at the Mather School before joining the Marines in 1961.

Corporal Johnson completed her basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, and later received a permanent personnel assignment at Headquarters Company, Women Marines Detachment, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Va.

She served as a telephone operator and later as a chief clerical supervisor in communications.

Corporal Johnson was responsible for training, scheduling and supervising Marine personnel across multiple shifts, ensuring that all communication and administrative operations were performed with precision and discipline.

From 2003 to 2006, she served with the Beaufort County Disabilities and Special Needs Program, providing compassionate care, supervision and daily support for clients with special needs-further reflecting her lifelong dedication to serving others.

spoke to the Johnson-Giddens about what being Grand Marshal means to her.

“It means I’ve come a long, long way. And because I love my neighborhood and I love this area, It’s a privilege. Just a pleasure,” she said.

She said the Veterans Day Parade is special to her because she has roots buried in Beaufort.

“I was born and raised here,” she said. “Therefore, it meant a lot to me because Parris Island was where most of the folks worked from Dale, and then the air station. So, I became accustomed to it. I went to school here, the Mather School, and it’s just home for me.  I’m comfortable here.”

Johnson-Giddens said the people and the area are the reason she came back to Beaufort, so she was excited to see all the people she’s met in her 86 years waving to her while on the float.

That was a highlight of her reign as Grand Marshal.