Beaufort County Veterans Affairs announced that retired Marine Corps Lt. Col. William Rivers “Skeet” Von Harten will serve as grand marshal of the 2026 Beaufort County Veterans Day Parade.

Von Harten is a Beaufort native who began his military service at age 17 when he enlisted in the South Carolina National Guard. He is a graduate of Beaufort High School and The Citadel, where he earned a degree in business administration before receiving his commission in the U.S. Marine Corps.

During his 20-year Marine Corps career, Von Harten served two tours in Vietnam. His military decorations include the Silver Star, the Purple Heart and two Bronze Star Medals — one for valor and one for meritorious service in combat. During his second Vietnam tour, he commanded the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, leading his Marines during fighting against the North Vietnamese offensive in 1972. He retired as a lieutenant colonel.

Following his military retirement, Von Harten continued serving the Lowcountry through civic service. He served as the founding director of the Beaufort County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission and served on Beaufort County Council as chairman and vice chairman. His work has supported local military installations, land preservation around Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, and veterans seeking assistance with benefits and access to VA services.

Von Harten's community leadership has included serving as commodore of the Beaufort Water Festival in 1983 and holding leadership positions with the Burton Fire District Commission, Sea Island Rotary Club and Beaufort Citadel Club. He received South Carolina’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto, in 2009. The University of South Carolina awarded him an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree in 2019.

The 2026 Beaufort County Veterans Day Parade will be held Tuesday, November 11 at 10 a.m. It will begin at Beaufort National Cemetery. In case of inclement weather the parade will be canceled. Those interested in participating can still register by October 31.