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Shaw, Sumter come together to celebrate independence

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Daniel Phelps
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SUMTER, S.C. --  More than 35,000 people from the Shaw and Sumter communities gathered at Dillon Park here July 4 to celebrate freedom and the birth of this nation.

"This annual event is the second-largest community relations event Shaw puts on," said Robert Sexton, 20th Fighter Wing community relations manager. "Only ShawFest, Shaw's biennial air show, is bigger."

The July 4th celebration used to take place on the Shaw Air Force Base flightline up until 9/11, said Jack Lonergan, 20th Force Support Squadron Jammin' July 4th project officer. After that, it was held at the community center, but those without a military identification card couldn't come. So, in 2005 the celebration was moved to downtown Sumter at Dillon Park to get the surrounding communities more involved.

"I think it's awesome that Shaw is giving back to the community, and the community in turn comes out and supports Shaw," said John Jamen, a S.C. resident. "We can't tell you how much we appreciate everything you all do."

The event was truly a 20th FW event, said Misty Hatfield, 20th FSS marketing director. There were over 100 volunteers from Shaw across all the units including Team Shaw's newest addition Third Army.

"It was pretty hectic trying to get all of this together because there were so many little pieces," said Mr. Lonergan. "My first time was truly a learning experience, but now the process is like a well-oiled machine. It's only the small details that have to be figured out."

Shaw also received support from the Sumter community to put on the grand event.

The city provided a support system for Shaw by bringing tents, tables, security, pavilions and emergency medical services, while the 20th FW took care of the labor of the event through contracting out food, rides, bands, fireworks and the sounds system.

"Shaw has always had such a wonderful committee," said Lynn Kennedy, Sumter events coordinator. "It's been a wonderful partnership."