I-77 flag wavers show support for slain Marines

My goodness my computer is blurry. What a great group of residence to go out of their way to support the Marines. Gives hope to everyone.

FORT MILL
About two-dozen military veterans and supporters hoisted American flags over Interstate 77 on Friday afternoon to honor four Marines killed in Chattanooga, Tenn., one day earlier.

The patriots stood for hours on the Exit 83 overpass waving American flags and holding up four fingers in honor of four U.S. Marines who were shot and killed Thursday at a Chattanooga military recruiting center in what authorities are investigating as an act of domestic terrorism. The suspect was shot to death by police.

“We represent several different groups. However, right now, we’re representing the United States of America,” said Al Guest, a retired master sergeant for the U.S. Air Force.

The bridge on which they were standing has special meaning. The Leonard A. Farrington 9/11 Memorial Bridge is named after a man who stood on the bridge the day after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and waved his American flag.

“I’m not here for publicity, I’m here for this country,” Farrington said that day. “No terrorist beats America.”

Those waving flags from the same bridge Friday had the same sense of unity for country. Not all of them were military veterans, though. Robin Smith, of Fort Mill, said Thursday’s shooting created more fear for her son, who is also a Marine.

“It’s real hard to put a name with the face, especially when you have someone in the service,” she said. “(Terrorism) has come into our country, and we need to get it stopped.”

Smith said she wanted the motorists driving by and honking to feel the passion for America those on the bridge have.

“Everybody that’s up here today has a deep feeling for America,” she said. “I want these (drivers) to know and to bring it back to them in case they’ve forgotten, deep down in their hearts, what needs to be important.”

Teddy Kulmala: 803-329-4082, @teddy_kulmala


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