Dear editor:

Celebrate America! 2009 at Reed Bingham State Park was a huge success and, thanks to the various participating agencies, the smoothest Independence Day celebration that we've ever had.

I'm very proud of the staff and volunteers at Reed Bingham. We conduct numerous large-scale programs throughout the year, but an event the size of Celebrate America! can only take place with assistance from other city, county and state agencies.

There were more than 10,000 people around the lake Saturday afternoon and evening, yet there were no reported incidents of disagreements or fights. The three emergency medical service providers worked together and covered five medical emergencies during the day.

DNR rangers and members of the Georgia State Defense Force responded quickly to a sinking boat on the north end of the lake and, fortunately, there were no injuries. Two small children, one on the Colquitt County side and one on the Cook County side, were reported missing just as the fireworks were scheduled to begin. They were located in the dark, among thousands of people, in less than fifteen minutes.

We ended the night with a great show by Pyrotechnico.

Please join me in thanking the members of the following agencies and those in leadership positions that allowed them to participate; Adel Police Department, American Red Cross, Colquitt County 911, Colquitt County Emergency Management Agency, Colquitt County EMS, Colquitt County Sheriff's Department, Cook County 911, Cook County Sheriff's Department, Ellenton VFD, Friends of Reed Bingham State Park, Georgia Department of Natural Resources / Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Transportation, Georgia State Defense Force, Mid Georgia EMS, Moultrie Police Department, Pine Valley VFD, South Georgia EMS and Sparks VFD and Mothers Against Drunk Drivers. Also, thank you to RCE of Valdosta and Windstream for providing communications equipment for our command post.

Finally, thanks to you, all of the individuals and families that chose to celebrate Independence Day with us at Reed Bingham State Park. We appreciate your cooperation throughout the day and your patience as we worked as quickly as possible to get everyone safely on their way home.

Chet Powell,

Park Manager,

Reed Bingham State Park