Thousands flock to Lake Murray for Salute From the Shore flyover

LAKE MURRAY, SC (WIS) - Thousands of beachgoers flocked to Lake Murray on Wednesday to enjoy the holiday and were treated to a flyover courtesy of two F-16 jets.

Since 2010, the Salute From The Shore organization flies several F-16 jets and vintage aircraft down the coast of South Carolina, giving beachgoers the opportunity to participate in a synchronized salute from the shoreline as the aircraft pass over. Typically, the flight begins just north of Myrtle Beach and ends after passing over Hilton Head.

However, this year the pilots added Lake Murray as a special stop.

"We want it to be a synchronized gesture from our state because we really value all the military installations we have in South Carolina and the personnel that make them possible and the families of those active and retired personnel that have also made sacrifices to support our country," Jill Armbruster with Salute on The Shore, said.

The F-16s made two passes over Lake Murray around 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, as people gathered on the dam, beach and parking lot to watch.

"It's great because I like seeing jets and flying," 11-year-old Xavier Newman said. "I've also never been in a helicopter before but I want to do that too!"

Chris Baldridge recently moved to South Carolina and spent the day enjoying Lake Murray with his family. Outside his beach tent flew an American flag.

"The flag is everything, it's what this country is made on," Baldridge said. "People die for that flag, even though that particular flag probably costs only $12 at Walmart, it's really what the flag means. Freedom, fourth of July."

After the flyover, beachgoers continued celebrating the holiday together.

"I just really like being with everybody and seeing everyone have fun and eating good food, stuff like that," Michelle Davis said.

Salute From The Shore says moving forward, there's a possibility Lake Murray will be added to the annual statewide flyover celebration.

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