--submitted by Jim Hite, Friends of Magnolia Springs Chapter President
The Friends of Magnolia Springs State Park highlighted their celebration of State Parks Day by raising the US and Georgia flags for the first time on the new flag pole at the Park's entrance. The pole was a gift to the Park purchased with funds earned from hundreds of volunteer hours.
The honor of raising the flag went to members of Buckhead-Camp Lawton Brigade 2102, Sons of Confederate Veterans, who have provided over half of all volunteers hours since Friends was organized.
After remarks by Jenkins County Chairman James Henry, Region 2 Manager for Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites Tommy Turk and State Senator Jesse Stone, the flags were raised in silence. When they reached the top, choir members from Millen United Methodist Church and Millen Baptist Church led the singing of our National Anthem.
Everyone then moved into the park to socialize over a hot dog lunch, also provided by Friends. They were joined by several park visitors as well as by members of the Georgia Southern University Archaeological team which was also working throughout the day.
Earlier in the morning, volunteers worked on trimming bushes, cutting grass and cutting and removing fallen trees.
The Georgia flag was provided by State Representative Butch Parrish.
