The eyes of the nation tuned in to cable news this morning as South Carolina removed the Confederate Battle Flag from its Capitol grounds after 54 years.

The ceremony at the Confederate war memorial, where the flag has spent the past 14 or so years -- it used to fly over the Capitol until 2000 -- was brief, and drew cheers and chants of "USA!" from thousands of onlookers.

But for WCSC CBS 5 anchor Ann McGill, a life-long South Carolinian, the history of the moment led her to tears on air.

"I apologize to everybody, I got a little emotional as I saw the flag coming down," McGill said, fighting back tears as the anchors took control of the broadcast from the on-scene reporter.

"But as I watched it, just um, a ton of emotions just washed over me. But, um, certainly glad that I was able to be a part of all of you who witnessed this event happening today. And uh, it uh, I don't know. It just brought out a lot of emotions... I don't know if it's because of the Emanuel 9, or if it's because of, uh, as someone who grew up here in South Carolina, um, and has experienced some things, and talking to my father about things he experienced as a young man growing up in South Carolina... But, um, it means a lot to see a part of the old south, if you will, come down."

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