Monday, July 1, 2019: This past weekend was very busy. After getting home Friday night around 11:30 p.m. from my trip to the southwest border, I had an interview in the airport with WTOC TV in Savannah to discuss my observations from the trip. On Saturday morning I had an interview with WJCL TV in Savannah followed by an interview with WSAV in Savannah on the same subject. A link to the interviews can be found here and here. We will be sending out a special edition e-mail detailing my visit to the border soon. On Saturday afternoon I traveled to Screven in Wayne County for their July 4th celebration complete with lots of booths, a car show and many other fun events. This quaint little city is one of the jewels of the First District with a great group of volunteers who make everyone feel welcome.
Rep. Carter at the God and Country event in Waycross |
Next, I headed to Richmond Hill in Bryan County to J.F. Gregory Park for their July 4th celebration with a host of vendors and a great crowd. J.F. Gregory Park is one of the premiere parks in the state and is perfect for this type of event. Along with Richmond Hill Mayor Russ Carpenter and State Representative Ron Stephens (R-Georgetown), I had the opportunity to address the crowd and enjoyed visiting the many booths in this giant facility. Afterwards, I headed to Bloomingdale in Chatham County for their July 4th celebration that was not deterred by a little rain. Along with vendors and lots of kid’s rides, we honored our veterans before enjoying gospel music and fireworks. On Sunday, I joined Brother Freddie Smith at Sweat Memorial Baptist Church in Waycross for their annual God and Country event that is one of the best July 4th celebrations in the State of Georgia. This is the fourth year I have attended this great gathering and it has gotten better every year. This year the music ministries of Sweat Memorial Baptist Church and First Baptist Church joined forces with the Waycross Brass to make some of the best music anywhere. It is always a delight to participate in this special event. On Monday morning, I appeared live on Mornings with Maria on Fox Business Network to discuss my trip to the border and the important work President Trump is doing on trade. A link to my interview can be found above.
Tuesday, July 2, 2019: I’m on the radio this morning with my good friend Bill Edwards with WTKS radio in Savannah to talk about my trip to the border followed by a radio interview on the same subject with my good friend Scott James with Talk 92.1 radio in Valdosta and later with Martha Zoller with WDUN radio in Gainesville. A link to my interview on WDUN can be found here. Next, I head to our Savannah district office where I meet with members of Friends of Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge before heading to the Colonial Chemical Solutions (CCS) plant on Telfair Road in Savannah. CCS is a leading independent chemical distributor in the Southeast region with plant locations in Savannah, Atlanta and Wilmington, NC.
Rep. Carter at Colonial Chemical Solutions (CCS) plant |
Afterwards, I head to National Distributing Company (NDC) on Mills B. Lane Blvd in Savannah to learn more about the Alcohol Beverage Distribution business. NDC is a family owned business and one of the nation’s leading wholesale beverage alcohol distributors. Afterwards, I head back to our Savannah District Office for more constituent meetings and have a phone interview with the Savannah Morning News. Next, I head to Sunbury Plantation in Liberty County and on the way have a phone call with Fish & Wildlife Refuge System to discuss the Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge. Without question, Sunbury Plantation in Liberty County is one of the best kept secrets in Georgia. Since the arrival of Spanish explorers and missionaries in the early 1500’s, this area is full of American history. Of the 159 counties in Georgia, Liberty County is one of only three that is not named for a person or has a name of Native American heritage. The coastal community located between Darien and Savannah was named Liberty for providing two of Georgia’s three signers of the Declaration of Independence. Meredith Devendorf Belford and her mother Laura Devendorf have done an outstanding job of keeping their family property in tact through the use of land conservation and are truly great stewards of maintaining our state and nation’s heritage.
Wednesday, July 3, 2019: I’m back on the radio this morning with my good friends on the world famous Butch and Bob Show on WIFO radio in Jesup as we discuss my recent trip to the border as well as other issues of national interest. Afterwards, I meet with new Hunter Army Airfield (HAAF) Garrison Commander Lieutenant Colonel Dave Escobar. Lt. Col. Escobar is a native of Fort Lauderdale, FL and has a most impressive resume including deployments of 36 months across two tours to Iraq and one tour to Afghanistan. We are very fortunate to have a soldier of his quality in this position at HAAF. Afterwards, I head to Ft. Stewart’s annual Marne Family Day at Newman Gym on post.
Rep. Carter at Ft. Stewart’s annual Marne Family Day |
This annual event brings the areas great group of volunteers together where businesses donate food and volunteers serve the troops and their families. Spearheaded by Melinda and P.J. Schneider, this is a great event and is yet another example of the community support that Ft. Stewart/HAAF receives. Afterwards, I have an office call with Major General Antonio Aguto, the new commanding officer of the 3rd ID. A well-educated and highly decorated soldier with outstanding credentials, Gen. Aguto is another in a long line of impressive leaders at Ft. Stewart/HAAF. Afterwards, I meet with Colonel Bryan Logan, the new Garrison Commander at Fort Stewart who took over with the change of command on June 20th. Col. Logan is a great soldier who has served at Fort Stewart before. A native of Houston, TX Col. Logan has an outstanding resume with the only blemish being that he graduated from LSU.
Rep. Carter greets a soldier reuniting with his family at the Savannah Bananas game |
Next, I head back to our Savannah district office where I meet with my good friend Sean Register from Bryan County before heading to the Savannah Bananas baseball game at Grayson Stadium which is always a fun event. I had the privilege of greeting a soldier that returned home from Afghanistan today as he reunited with his family during the baseball game.
Thursday, July 4th, 2019: Today is Independence Day, one of my favorite days of the year. For me today is all saints day - St. Marys, St. George and St. Simons Island. My day starts in Camden County where, for the 5th year in a row, I participate in the St. Marys July 4th parade. The enthusiasm of the crowd is only slightly lower that the temperature in what is always a great parade in this picturesque seaside community.
Rep. Carter at the St. Simons Island 4th of July Celebration |
Next, I head to the southernmost city in Georgia, St. George in Charlton County, for the St. George Baptist Church’s annual luncheon. Led by Charlton County Commissioner Jesse Crews, this is one of the premiere events in this tightknit community and it is always a delight to attend. Afterwards, I head to St. Simons Island in Glynn County where I participate in their annual July 4th golf cart parade where the fun is surpassed only by the patriotism. |
