Group lines Myrtle Beach bridge with American flags to remember 9/11 fallen

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Harrelson Boulevard was lined with American flags on Tuesday, as members of a local veterans’ group honored those who died in the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

A dozen members of Rolling Thunder stood atop the bridge, joining chapters across the country in a display of unity and patriotism.

“We came out today at 8:30 in the morning. The first plane struck at 8:46, so we’re standing at 8:46. And the tower went down at 10:28, so we’re standing until 10:28,” chapter president Russell Payne said.

Some motorists honked their horns while other drivers pulled over and shook hands with Payne and members of his group.

David Maxwell has been waving flags on 9/11 for about seven years.

“I was at work on the west coast and got the news that one of the planes hit the tower, and it just basicially shut down everything,” he said. “It was a traumatic day.”

One member that News 13 spoke with has been waving the flags on 9/11 for about seven years now and remembers what he was doing 23 years ago today.

Payne said Rolling Thunder will never forget the lives lost and that they are especially keeping those families in their prayers today.

“Today was very successful. You can hear that we have a little background noise and that’s because many of our members have ridden today to remember and to respect everything that happened on 9/11,” Maxwell said.

More than 80 chapters of the Rolling Thunder organization participated across bridges nationwide Wednesday.

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Carly Knowlton is a multimedia journalist at News13. She graduated from Penn State University in May 2024 and joined the News13 team in July 2024. Carly is from Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Follow Carly on Instagram , and read more of her work here .

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