Myrtle Beach is stepping up in a big way for its Vietnam veterans with this new memorial at Warbird Park in The Market Common—it’s a heartfelt “Welcome Home” that’s been 50+ years in the making.
Over 500 locals showed up last week for the groundbreaking, where retired Air Force Col. Thomas “Buddy” Styers, a Vietnam vet himself, led emotional chants of “Welcome home, brothers!” He shared a raw memory of landing at San Francisco airport in 1970, facing protesters who hurled insults at uniformed soldiers. Styers, now executive director of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority, helped transform the closed base into today’s vibrant district, but knew a Vietnam tribute was the missing piece alongside its WWII memorial and aircraft exhibits.
Key Memorial Features
- Entrance greeting: Bold “Welcome Home” inscription.
- Central wall: 8-foot multi-sided structure with engravings, images, statues, and quotes from Presidents Jimmy Carter and Franklin Roosevelt; lit up at night.
- Reflective spaces: A pool, memorial garden, and stone benches for quiet contemplation.
- Themes: Visibility, remembrance, reflection, gratitude, storytelling, and education, per architect Jessica Wise.
City Councilman Mike Lowder got emotional, calling it a small but meaningful gesture from Myrtle Beach. The $600,000 project, funded by the redevelopment group and local donors, kicked off planning early last year with veteran input and aims to wrap most work by Memorial Day weekend—a quick win hailed as a “true community effort” by city spokesperson Meredith Denari.
This fits right into the Lowcountry’s strong tradition of honoring military history and community ties. Have you visited Warbird Park before, or are you planning to check out the memorial once it’s open?
