Tribute to the Troops
Written by Anthony Garzilli
Photo courtesy of Salute from the Shore Instagram
An aerial Independence Day tradition continues this month as the annual Salute from the Shore flyover takes to the skies.
Since it began in 2010, Salute from the Shore has paid tribute to the U.S. armed forces with a series of flyovers each July 4. Salute from the Shore’s mission is to unite people in a “synchronized salute” to the troops. The flyovers stretch across the South Carolina coast, including Bluffton and Hilton Head Island.
The festivities begin this year at 1 p.m. in Cherry Grove and conclude in Beaufort approximately an hour later. The route includes Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, Isle of Palms, Charleston Harbor, Folly Beach and Edisto Island.
On Independence Day, in 2008, friends Johnny Folsom and Toddy Smith sat on the beach and discussed how they were enjoying family time while “young people of the military” defended the country overseas. They decided to establish the nonprofit Salute from the Shore.
The first Salute from the Shore was witnessed by hundreds of thousands of people, according to its website. The flyover – assisted by a C-17 from Charleston AFB – resulted in an “overwhelming” outpouring of personal messages and stories. which prompted the organizers to keep the event going.
“There’s just this reverence that takes over the entire beach,” said co-founder Jill Armbruster.
Salute from the Shore encourages audiences to get into the spirit of the celebration. On July 4 people are encouraged to get a huge flag (“Go Big!”) and head to the beach. Record your salute and share it via social media. Tag your photos and videos with the hashtag #SalutefromtheShore.
The event continues to have an impact.
“Seeing the crowds on the beach is an amazing experience; just to see the patriotism and everybody seeing the aircraft fly by,” said Col. John Robinson, commander of the 315th Airlift Wing out of Joint Base Charleston.
Follow the flight
The Salute from the Shore flyover will be at the following locations at these approximate times:
LOCATION F-16S C-17
Cherry Grove 1:00 p.m. 1:05 p.m.
Myrtle Beach 1:03 p.m. 1:06 p.m.
Pawleys Island 1:06 p.m. 1:14 p.m.
Isle of Palms 1:15 p.m. 1:29 p.m.
Charleston Harbor 1:16 p.m. 1:32 p.m.
Folly Beach 1:20 p.m. 1:35 p.m.
Edisto Island 1:24 p.m. 1:41 p.m.
H.H. Island/Bluffton 1:31 p.m. 1:48 p.m.
Beaufort 1:35 p.m. 1:54 p.m.
