Georgia NMD event will “Celebrate the Troops”

LAKE LANIER, Ga. – Billing itself as one of the largest National Marina Day celebrations in the nation, the Marina Operators of Lake Lanier, Ga., will host a picnic for the troops Aug. 14, that will include a parade with marching bands and other events, organizers said in a press release yesterday.

The event will focus on a tribute to the US Army 802nd Ordnance Company from Gainesville, Fla., which served in the war with Iraq. Officials expect nearly 4,000 people at the events.

Bill Anderson – president of the Marina Operators Association of America and president of Westrec Marinas, Gregg Kenney – president of the International Marina Institute and president of Flagship Marinas, and Jim Frye – executive director of both the International Marina Institute and the Marina Operators Association of America – will also be on hand for the event.

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue has issued a statewide proclamation for National Marina Day. This is the second year that the governor has recognized the event with a statewide proclamation, according to the event’s organizers.

“There is no way to describe how much we appreciate the governor’s support of this event,” said Kirby Cay Scheimann, CMM, president of the Marina Operators of Lake Lanier and the national chairperson for the Marina Operators Association of America’s 2004 National Marina Day Committee. “Gov. Perdue’s support was the first critical step in bringing the national boating media’s attention to Georgia.”

In addition, federal resolutions have been issued recognizing National Marina Day in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. These documents will be presented at the National Marina Day national celebration at Lake Lanier.

National Marina Day for 2004 will involve more than 250 marinas participating nationwide.

“Our goal across the country for National Marina Day 2004 is for each participating marina to invite their local elected officials to visit their marina to learn about our industry and its positive impacts on our communities,” Scheimann said.

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