Dozens of families didn’t mind getting soaked in North Myrtle Beach on Thursday with their eyes glued to the sky, as more than a hundred special operations soldiers with the U.S. Army jumped out of helicopters and parachuted into the ocean.
Local law enforcement agencies helped to block off part of the beach so the soldiers could have a clear path as boats brought them to shore.
“Any time you get a chance to support our armed forces, we are going to take as much advantage of that as we can and really welcome them, welcome them to the city of North Myrtle, everything we have to offer,” said Public Safety PIO Justin Baker. “It’s a sight to remember.
Some veterans in the crowd say the experience was nostalgic and powerful.
“I trained with the special forces and these are the guys jumping today, and as a combat veteran I have nothing but admiration for what these guys go through and the sacrifice they make,” said Stew Koontz, an Army Combat Vietnam veteran.
The exercise is to prepare the soldiers for potential experiences they could have abroad.
“It’s a great day out here, it’s the first time the City of Myrtle Beach as well as our armed forces have done anything to this scale which is exciting, ” said Baker.
