A group of our nation's bravest have been on the Grand Strand for the Memorial day weekend fromWalter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. and Fort Belvoir.
"We're so aware of our own deficits, so when other people are like we know your lives have changed but its ok. It it just bolsters you up," Lieutenant Colonel Army Nurse Maureen Schafer said.
One of the soldiers, Sgt. Daryll Fletcher, tells NewsChannel 15 he served in Iraq and suffered injuries to both his right arm and left femur.
He's says Memorial Day is such an important day, because it reminds him of someone who he served with the day he was injured.
"He died. And I didn't know him. But that could have been me," he says.
"Our military has gotten so small that first hand knowledge of the sacrifice that military service men and women is not really well known by most people in the county," USAF (Ret) Major General Ervin C. Sharpe Jr. Says.
Sharpe Jr. was a keynote speaker Monday evening at the closing ceremony of military appreciation days at Valor Memorial Garden in Market Common.
More than 100 veterans and military supporters came to the event which included a riffle salute, a parachute demonstration from a team of veterans, and moments of silence.
Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes spoke at the event, he says Myrtle Beach is the perfect back drop for military days because of its history.
"Us having the airbase here for so many years and getting to know our local military personnel and our locals that worked the airbase-civilians. It means a lot to have the opportunity to recognize them and to pay homage to those that have served," he said.
Rolling Thunder, a motorcycle group is made of veterans who focus on getting the government to look for soldiers who are missing in action, also had a missing man table at the ceremony.
The table was decorated with items and trinkets, symbols and medals significant to each branch of the military.
Bill Devaughn, President of Rolling Thunder says that the prime reason for the day, those who aren't here.
"That's what memorial day is all about. Memorial day is to honor those who made the supreme sacrifice to our county," Devaughn says.
The group of wounded warriors in the crowd received multiple thank you's, applause, and recognition throughout the ceremony too.
"It means a lot more coming from the war veterans before us than it does coming from you know generals talking to us," Sgt. James Nickelson says. "When a vet hugs you, they never let go."
Fletcher was among those in the crowd. He says his big takeaway today is saying, "Thank you. To those who've gone on before us. Thank you for those who paved the way, so to speak. And," he adds, "It's in their remembrance to those who did not get a chance to see this day pass."
