MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)- The 2016 Military Appreciation Days parade is returning to the Saturday before Memorial Day.
At the same time, the location is returning to its roots at the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. Instead of Ocean Boulevard, the 2016 parade will be held on Howard Avenue and Farrow Parkway at The Market Common, City Spokesperson Mark Kruea said.
“We wanted to move the parade back to the air force base to pay recognition to the soldiers that were here on the air force base and the effort that was made to the growth of myrtle beach through the air force base. Also with the effort that’s going to be on ocean boulevard to increase the emergency lane through equipment we knew to have the parade on ocean boulevard was going to be a major task,” Lt. Joey Crosby said.
It begins at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 28, and is a highlight of the month-long “thank you” to our dedicated service men and women, past and present – along with their families – for all that they do on our behalf.
United States Army veteran Noah Galloway has been selected as Grand Marshal of the 2016 Military Appreciation Days Parade. Sergeant Galloway was a career soldier until he lost his left arm above the elbow and his left leg above the knee from an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in Iraq on December 19, 2001.
Galloway was just three months into his second tour of duty during Operation Iraqi Freedom when he experienced this life-changing injury. He was transported to Germany for medical treatment and remained unconscious for five days. Obviously overcoming his injuries, Galloway this year took third place in ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” paired with professional Sharna Burgess.
As Grand Marshal, Galloway will lead the Military Appreciation Days parade, then greet fans afterward at the Family Picnic in Grand Park on Farrow Parkway at The Market Common. Everyone’s invited to enjoy the festivities, which include military exhibits and live music from the Andrew Thielen Big Band. The picnic lunch, prepared by the Omar Chefs Shriners, is free for active-duty military, veterans and their families, including National Guard and Reserve.
