Myrtle Beach Readies for Military Appreciation Days
By Jason M. Rodriguez
Military Appreciation Days will be celebrated in Myrtle Beach from May 28-30, as more than 20 military groups from North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia compete in various sports and a cook-off.
Appreciation days kick off Thursday with a golf tournament at Whispering Pines Golf Course for active military members. A handgun marksmanship tournament will also be held Thursday at the indoor range of the Myrtle Beach Law Enforcement Center Annex. Finally on Thursday, a men's basketball tournament will be held at Crabtree Memorial Gymnasium.
At 7 p.m. Friday, the U. S. Air Force Heritage of America Blue Aces Band will perform in Grand Park at The Market Common. On Saturday, a 5K Run and Walk is planned for 8 a.m., and open to active military and veterans at no charge and civilians for a $20 fee. The run/walk begins at Crabtree Gym. Exhibits will be set up at 9 a.m. in Grand Park representing various branches of the military.
Other activities Saturday include a model airplane demonstration at 9:30 a.m. in the field at Grand Park, a combat cuisine cook-off at 10 a.m., model boat races at 10:30 a.m. at the lake in Grand Park and a jet ski exhibition at 11 a.m.
A family picnic is planned for 11:45 a.m. in Valor Memorial Garden, located just off the Kings Hwy. entrance to The Market Common. Participants are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and their own food; however, food will also be available for purchase at The Market Common. The 282nd Army Victory Band will perform at Valor Park until 12:45 p.m. Admission to the concert is a canned food item for the S.C. State Guard Canned Food Drive.
The combat cuisine cook-off judging will begin at 2 p.m. in the paved area of Grand Park, and Festive Brass will begin at 3 p.m. in Valor Memorial Garden.
At 4 p.m. there will be a memorial and awards ceremony in Valor Memorial Garden. The ceremony will honor active military, veterans, POWs, MIAs and KIAs. Awards for the sports competitions will be given out during the ceremony.
The Blue Aces will entertain the crowd again from 7:30-9 p.m. in Grand Park, with a fireworks finale to follow. Donations of canned food items for the food drive are encouraged.
For more information about the sports competitions and other activities during Military Appreciation Days, call (843) 918-1188 or log on to www.militaryappreciationdays.com.
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