Waycross celebrates 250th

Field of Honor stirs patriotism

Ceremony offers solemn reminder of U.S. struggles, hopes for future

Waycross celebrated the nation’s 250th birthday from late morning on into the night Saturday, July 4.

A stirring display of patriotism at the Waycross Exchange Club’s Field of Honor was followed in the afternoon and evening by hundreds gathering on the streets of downtown to enjoy the freedoms resulting from the sacrifices of those recognized earlier.

A bright blue, partly cloudy sky and warm temperatures eased periodically by a moderate breeze greeted those gathered for the festivities marking the milestone in the country’s history.

A few hundred gathered at the Okefenokee Fairgrounds for the near two-hour Exchange Club program, filled with inspiring words from a collection of speakers. Their words came in front of a field of flags dedicated to military members, veterans, first responders and community heroes whose service and sacrifices helped craft and preserve the nation’s freedoms.

In addition to the speakers were soloists performing the National Anthem (Lydia Frizzell), God Bless America the USA (Frizzell). Also came the themes from each of the nation’s armed services, Happy Birthday, You’re A Grand Old Flag, and Amazing Grace from the bagpipes of Tim Akins, and finally Taps from the bugle of an airman from Moody Air Force Base near Valdosta.

Exchange Club president Danny Bartlett directed the day’s activity, presenting the Pledge of Allegiance and the meaning of its words, introducing the speakers and offering the closing prayer.

Kirby McSwain, immediate past president of the Exchange Club welcomed the gathering and detailed the path that led to the day’s celebration.

Ware County Schools Supt. Dr. Lynn Barber followed with the invocation.

Bill Deeson, a past president of the National Exchange Club, presented the vision for the organization’s Field of Honor observances.

U.S. Air Force Col. Jeffrey “Hoolie” Mack delivered the program’s keynote address, opening with the preamble to the Declaration of Independence. Just moments after synopsizing the history of Waycross and the railroad’s importance to it, his address was interrupted by a CSX train passing on the tracks along Knight Avenue.

“And here comes the railroad,” Col. Mack said to laughter from the audience.

Col. Mack, Commander at 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing, Moody Air Force Base, said he was participating in the program “not just as a representative of the United States Air Force, but as a neighbor” from South Georgia.

“We’re bound by geography, by community, and most importantly our shared love of this great nation,” Col. Mack said. “It’s fitting we’re gathered in Waycross today, the heart of South Georgia ... known for its character. You’re a community that understands what it means to serve a cause greater than ones self.

“Looking out on this incredible display (of flags) it’s clear Waycross is a community that reveres its history and honors its heroes. I felt that as soon as I walked up today.”

Calling the day a “monumental milestone,” Col. Mack touched on the courage it took for the founding fathers to even consider forming a new nation, let alone the two centuries of sacrifice and struggles in its growth and preservation from not only those on the battlefield, but those at home supporting their efforts.

He framed it all in the flag and what it symbolizes saying the 300 flags in the field of honor “represents a story and a sacrifice. The history of our American flag is a history of our 250-year journey.”

Col. Mack closed by saying, “I ask every one here to take a a moment and look at this field of honor, let the wind catch the stars and stripes and remember the men and women who stood their ground the last two and a half centuries so that we can stand here today celebrating.”

Georgia State Sen. Russ Goodman of Cogdell, spoke in his address on the sacrifice of others from a family perspective that Col. Mack had praised. Through seven generations, members of Goodman’s family have had a hand in helping shape the nation from its infancy to today “like many of you gathered here today.”

He said his seventh great grandfather was a captain in the Continental Army’s North Carolina Infantry. He had been at Valley Forge and was killed in 1781 just before the seige of Yorktown that led the end of the Revolution. His great-great grandfather and greatgreat uncle fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War.

Goodman’s grandfather was a member of the U.S. Army in WWII, who survived being a German prisoner after fighting in the Battle of Bulge. The senator’s father is a Vietnam veteran.

“The truth is we all won the genetic lottery the day we were born American citizens,” Sen. Goodman said. “At birth, we all were bestowed a great inheritance. One of freedom, liberty, opportunity, faith self government, the dignity of work, the protection of our constitution, and the shared responsibility of taking this great country and to do our very best to leave it better for future generations.”

After Ware County Coroner David Jordan read the names of the flag’s honorees, Fussell Hughes, president elect of the National Exchange Club followed Goodman’s theme for the future in his address near the end of the program.

Hughes, an Albany resident, said the day, “shouldn’t just be about remembering history, but making history, and everyone of us has a role to play. Each of us have the ability to strengthen the fabric of the nation. ... None of us can do everything all of us can do something.”

Downtown Waycross started filling with people early in the afternoon to enjoy the food, beverage, music, vendors and finally the fireworks. Based in Phoenix Park, the activities stretched through downtown streets.

Live music was on the stage adjacent to Phoenix Park from noon until just before the fireworks display around 9:15 p.m.