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COLUMBIA, SC (WACH) - A wave of patriotism sweeping across the country made a stop in the Midlands Wednesday to honor America's armed forces.

The Crossing of America Tour started on Memorial Day Weekend in San Diego and will cover more than 12,000 miles through 43 states before arriving in New York in September to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the 9/11attacks.

The tour stopped at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center Wednesday morning where it was greeted by local leaders, veterans, and Midlands residents.

Irmo's Dawn Yamashiro, who lost her brother in the World Trade Center attacks, was behind the wheel of one of the Jeeps involved in the tour as it made its way through the region.

"I feel very privileged that they've asked me to participate," said Yamashiro. "Anything that I can do to bring to attention the events of 9-11 and the victims, I'm very honored to do."

Yamashiro is also one of many in the Midlands involved with a project to build a 9/11 First Responders' Remembrance Memorial at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center featuring two steel beams from the World Trade Center. 

A fund drive for that memorial is still ongoing.  Project organizers broke ground on the memorial earlier this summer and plan to officially unveil the memorial next month on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.