NORTH MYRTLE BEACH As
Lt. Col. Mary Louise Resch of the S.C. State Guard hoisted the American
flag at Friday’s Salute from Shore, she couldn’t help but think of the
young military couple she met earlier in the day who made it back from
deployment to enjoy the Fourth of July festivities on American soil.
“There’s
no higher honor than to hold the flag of your country,” Resch said
after Friday’s event. “Walking up with the colors from the beach, my
heart was just so overwhelmed. It was phenomenal to see that type of
support.”
Hundreds gathered at the city’s Main Street beach
access Friday afternoon to wave more than 160 flags during the July 4th
American Pride March. Many more braved the heat as temperatures reached
90 degrees. Some military members, including Resch, wore their uniforms
and were greeted with applause and hand shakes.
Resch said she
served during the Vietnam era when receptions for military were not
always positive. She was overwhelmed to realize how times have changed.
“I
came in the military during a time that I couldn’t wear my military
uniform home on leave,” Resch said. “To see the support that young
soldiers have and their families, it really is indescribable because
these kids know that they can come home and they have the support and
that they’re not going to have to be afraid to say ‘Yes, I fought for my
country.’”
At a flag raising ceremony before the flyover of
vintage military aircraft, a crowd of people gathered to harmonize “The
Star Spangled Banner” and “God Bless the USA.” As timing would have it,
the first three aircraft made their way from Cherry Grove heading south
just as “The Star Spangled Banner” concluded.
Every July 4 since
2010, a group of aviators have flown a fleet of planes along the coast
from Little River to Hilton Head Island, as flag-waving beachgoers cheer
from below along the route.
Volunteers on the beach held the
more than 160 flags provided by Jay Mozeley of North Myrtle Beach.
Mozeley, who has been providing flags for area military events for
years, said recruiting the volunteers makes the event more personal for
visitors.
“I met a lady Tuesday from Pennsylvania at the pool at
Sunset Harbor and she said we can’t wait to hold a flag on July 4. They
came for that reason,” Mozeley said. “That makes America America and
this makes July the Fourth the best.”
Mozeley and his crew used
to walk the beach with the flags from the Cherry Grove Pier to Main
Street, which really built momentum for the celebration as beach goers
would stand and salute the flags being walked to Main Street.
Mozeley
said there are a lot of area supporters of the annual event, now in its
fifth year. The American Legion, Sons of the Legion riders, Rolling
Thunder and the Patriots of North Myrtle/Little River are a few that
help make America’s birthday celebration on a Grand Strand a great
experience for all involved.
“It was hot and the tide was coming
in, but it was so great to celebrate America’s birthday,” Mozeley said.
“It just makes you happy just to be here and the people appreciate it
and that’s why we do it.”
Story and Photo: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com
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