//VLPRA wins national award for programming excellence

VLPRA wins national award for programming excellence

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Photo: VLPRA Program Coordinator Kelly Hritz and VLPRA Executive Director George Page holding the Program of the Year award and a plaque recognizing VLPRA as the NACPRO National Meeting host.

VALDOSTA – VLPRA was presented with the national award for programming excellence for “Flags of Freedom” at the NACPRO banquet.

Release:

Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks & Recreation Authority’s “Flags of Freedom” won “Program of the Year” this weekend at the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO) banquet.  NACPRO held its conference in Valdosta where it presented VLPRA the national award for excellence in programming. 

“Flags of Freedom” is a static display honoring military members who sacrificed their lives for our nation.  The NACPRO award was for last year’s display, which will be returning later this month.  50 flags, one for every state, lined a section of the road through Freedom Park from Memorial Day weekend to July 4th as a temporary memorial for fallen Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, Sailors, and Coast Guardsmen.

In addition to the flags, VLPRA placed signs listing the names of every service member from Lowndes County who was killed in action from World War II on.  Records before that time are difficult to find as many were lost in a fire.  There were also signs honoring our fallen heroes from Moody Air Force Base, Airmen who died while stationed here in Valdosta. 

The second annual Flags of Freedom display will be available to view again starting Memorial Day weekend at Freedom Park, located at 3795 Guest Road in Valdosta.  It is free to drive or walk through the experience.