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Fort Oglethorpe’s Patriotism at the Post celebrates 10 years [photos]

Attendees stop by the Repicci's Italian Ice booth for a cool treat. From left are server Chandler Abbott, and sisters Mindy Delashmitt, of Hixson, and Olivia Delashmitt, of Chattanooga. Attendees stop by the Repicci's Italian Ice booth for a cool treat. From left are server Chandler Abbott, and sisters Mindy Delashmitt, of Hixson, and Olivia Delashmitt, of Chattanooga.

By Katie Ward July 13, 2016 1 min read

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Patriotism at the Post celebrates 10 years

Conasauga Wildfire Fire Prevention Team/Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest representatives talk about fire prevention. From left are U.S. Forestry Services/ Fire Management Specialist DeQuincy Gordon, firefighter David Kuykendall, Georgia Forestry Commission Wildlife Prevention Specialist Beryl Budd, U.S. Forest Service Conasauga Ranger John Stephens, and Fire Prevention Team Leader Mark Wiles.

Frances Lewis, 11, of Fairview, left, and Jordan Andrews, 10, of Chattanooga, make their own fun by connecting glow necklaces together to create a big hoop to play with.

From left are Fort Oglethorpe residents Maci Higgins, 9, Lissi McDaniel, 12, Braeleigh Higgins, 11, and Angel McDaniel, 5.

Liberty Baptist Church Fort Oglethorpe campus pastor Ryan Ralston and volunteers Jerene Jones and Tom McDaniel, from left, talk to spectators on the Polo Field beside Barnhardt Circle.

In addition to all the fun that’s become synonymous with Patriotism at the Post over its now 10-year history – live music, inflatables, a petting zoo, fireworks and more – this year’s event had a bit of serious education mixed in.

With wildfires raging across the western U.S., claiming at least two lives and dozens of thousands of acres, Conasauga Wildfire Fire Prevention Team/Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest representatives talked to guests at the Fort Oglethorpe event about how the current dry, drought conditions being faced here can lead to wildfires.

“We try to keep from having situations like what happens out West,” said Prevention Team Leader Mark Wiles, who’s with the Georgia Forestry Commission. “We have several resources out there fighting fires, so we have limited resources here.”

He offered some practical advice: “Create your campfire at a manageable size. Add cold water to a fire and stir it with a shovel to put it out.”