Noah Galloway leads Myrtle Beach Memorial Day parade

Children handed out American flags and parade participants tossed candy from their floats as veterans and residents of all ages gathered on Farrow Parkway on Saturday morning for the Myrtle Beach Memorial Day parade.

Noah Galloway, an Iraq veteran and Dancing with the Stars competitor, rode with his children in the back of a white Camaro convertible as the parade’s grand marshal.

“The reason for wanting to be the grand marshal here at the parade was because they called me and asked me and it was a complete honor, that they would even call me and ask me to be the grand marshal,” said Galloway, who is the host of the television show “American Grit” on Fox.

Steve McKay, a Navy veteran who served during Vietnam, said his father, step father and father-in-law all served in the military.

“They’re now passed away and I’m here to honor them,” he said.

But that wasn’t the only reason he was there.

“One of the things we’re here to see is Noah Galloway,” he said. “He’s a real American Hero. I watch him on ‘American Grit’ so I know.”

Galloway was injured in Iraq during his second tour of duty, where he lost his left arm and left leg, and became depressed.

“I wanted to be a better father, so I pushed myself physically,” he said. “I got into races, I got on the cover of Men’s Health.”

Galloway, a motivational speaker, said it’s important for veterans to share their stories.

“Those stories have to be shared constantly because it’s all about spreading the word of those of us who have served our country,” he said. “For me, it’s just me wanting to spread as much positivity out there in the world.”

Robert Walton, another Iraq veteran attending the parade, said he was there to give thanks to the veterans who died in the line of duty.

“It seems people forget what Memorial Day is actually about this weekend,” he said. “It’s not about cookouts and all that. It is about giving thanks and remembering the fallen veterans, and everything that makes our country great.”

This story was originally published May 28, 2016 at 5:25 PM with the headline "Noah Galloway leads Myrtle Beach Memorial Day parade."