NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WPDE) — A towering U.S. flag and a New York City firetruck served as symbols of remembrance in North Myrtle Beach Saturday.
Flynn’s Irish Tavern hosted its second annual fundraiser benefiting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Retired Fairfax County Fire Captain John Richter organized the event.
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Richter said he responded to the Pentagon after the September 11, 2001 attacks and lost eight friends that day.
“As this is the 25th year, a lot of people have forgotten about 9/11 and what happened that day,” Richter said. “We keep doing these events in the Myrtle Beach area to have people realize what happened.”
A memorial panel honors FDNY firefighters killed on September 11, 2001. September 5, 2026. (Simon Williams / WPDE)
Honor guards from Horry County, Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach took part in the opening ceremony. New York City firefighters, police officers and veterans also spoke at the event.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation supports first responders, military members and their families. Richter said he plans to attend the foundation’s September 11 ceremony in New York.