Decorated Vietnam veteran named grand marshal for Military Appreciation Days Parade
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) - A beloved Grand Strand resident and Vietnam veteran will lead the way for this year’s Military Appreciation Days Parade.
Col. Thomas C. “Buddy” Styers, retired U.S. Air Force, will be the grand marshal for the parade festivities.
The annual celebration is hosted by the City of Myrtle Beach, Military Appreciation Committee, and Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce to recognize and honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces.
Styers served in the U.S. Air Force for 26 years and retired as a colonel in 1992.
He received countless decorations, including the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Vietnam Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
After retiring, he returned to Myrtle Beach and served as an executive director for the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority for over 30 years.
Myrtle Beach now has The Market Common community thanks to his vision to repurpose the former military base.
Gov. Henry McMaster honored Styers with the highest civilian honor in the state, the Order of the Palmetto, in March 2024, to recognize his lifetime of public service and contributions to the state and nation.
“We are honored to have Col. Styers serve as grand marshal,” said Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune. “His decades of military service and leadership in transforming the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base into a vibrant part of our city make him the perfect representative for this celebration of service.”
Earlier this year, Myrtle Beach’s Grand Park Athletic Complex was renamed the Colonel Thomas C. “Buddy” Styers Athletic Complex in his honor.
Styers and his wife still reside in Myrtle Beach and continue to give back to the community.
Military Appreciation Days include a parade, family picnic, live music, and military exhibits, all free and open to the public.
The parade is scheduled for 10 a.m., Saturday, May 24, along Farrow Parkway in The Market Common. It is followed by the family picnic in Grand Park.
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