COLUMBIA - The journey from Myrtle Beach to the capital city passes the newly dedicated Strom's Porch in Conway and travels along the Strom Thurmond Freeway, small reminders of the man's indelible impact on this state.

"Its hard to be sad when he accomplished so much," said Cleve Turbeville, a convenience store owner from Murrells Inlet who, like many from all corners of the state, made the trip to say goodbye to Thurmond.

"His life was so full and so meaningful for this state," Turbeville said. "I felt I had to pay my respects to such a great man."

Hundreds gathered at the Statehouse Sunday, braving heat, humidity and a long, winding line to view Thurmond's flag-draped coffin under the Capitol dome.

Few tears were shed; instead, most of those in attendance Sunday shared their personal stories of meeting Thurmond or how he made a difference in their lives.

Thurmond marked American times: A schoolteacher who flew in a hang glider into Normandy on D-Day. A governor, judge and senator, the only congressman to ever win election as a write-in candidate. A Democrat turned Dixiecrat turned Republican. A segregationist who was among the first legislators to hire a black aide.

Those in attendance Sunday also remembered Thurmond's personal accountability to his constituents.

Mary Cook of Columbia recalled how Thurmond helped her brother-in-law get his missing Social Security check.

Todd Jensen, an Horry County paramedic from Surfside Beach, recalled how Thurmond sent personal letters to family members when loved ones died.

"He enabled people to succeed in their own lives," said Elizabeth Shealy of Surfside Beach. "He led by example; he was always caring, always doing whatever he could for anyone that called him. We owed him this visit."

Though Columbia is three-hours away from the Grand Strand, several residents of Horry and Georgetown County said they went to show their loyalty to a man who represented South Carolina for decades.

Visitation continues today from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Capitol. Thurmond's funeral is at 1 p.m. Tuesday. The public is invited to attend the visitation and the funeral.

Turbeville convinced his friends Mark Dew and Paula Cannon to make the trip. Cannon, a first-grade teacher at Pee Dee Elementary School, said she will share the experience with her students.

"They may not care now, but I do think this is historic," she said. "He was historic."

Most of the hundreds of people assembled Sunday said they had personal connections with Thurmond.

"That's what he was to many people, a friend," said Lisa Nine, who interned in Thurmond's office in the '80s. She now works for the State Law Enforcement Division in Columbia.

"He trained us to treat people from South Carolina with respect," she said. "And he trained us by example. He treated the people of this state like a family. His family."