MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — In honor of those who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the city of Myrtle Beach held its annual remembrance ceremony.
The ceremony started at 10 a.m. around the 9/11 Memorial at Warbird Park in The Market Common.
The memorial is a steal beam from the North Tower of the World Trade Center and was donated to the community.
During the ceremony, wreaths honoring civilians, military, fire and police were placed around it. The ceremony started with a prayer, the presentation of colors and the national anthem.
Mayor Brenda Bethune spoke along with Dan Tompkins, a retired New York firefighter, and Karen Normile, a retired New York police officer. Both officials served at the time of the attacks.
Tompkins said his department lost 343 heroes on that day. He said about 370 members of the department have died since then due to the World Trade Center illnesses, and the number is still growing.
“It’s through the support of our communities and memorial services, like this one, is where we find some comfort and strength,” Tompkins said. “We, as a country, need these ceremonies to continue, long after the last member who operated the World Trade Center site has passed on.”