Thank you, Fallbrook

It is with great pride and appreciation that I write to commend the citizens of Fallbrook who volunteered to work at and those who paid to attended the Third Annual “Fallbrook’s Grand Tradition Fourth” Independence Day festivities.

Each year the Grand Tradition offers the use of our property to the Fallbrook Beautification Alliance for their annual fundraising event. This worthwhile group of organizations and volunteers committed to making Fallbrook a better place to live spend tireless hours to make this event a success. It is this event that raises the funds necessary to beautify our community through a variety of projects. The maintenance of the South Mission median, including over 300 new rose bushes planted this past year, the downtown flower pot program, maintenance of Beach Street Park and maintenance of the Art in Public Places program are just some of the projects that directly benefit from this event. I cannot think of a better event to bring the citizens of Fallbrook together while celebrating our country’s Independence Day holiday.

On a personal note, I continue to be impressed at how those who attend each year are so considerate, friendly and well-mannered. There is no need for concern over destruction of property or bad behavior, as those who attend make this a fun family event. Within 15 minutes of the end of the fireworks show, our grounds were clean. Attendees picked up after themselves and left our property in great condition.

Special recognition needs to go to Jerri Patchett, president of the Fallbrook Beautification Alliance, who was the chairman of this year’s event. Jerri and her team of volunteers did an outstanding job and many will never know the amount of time and hard work it took to make this event happen. Well done, Jerri!

I also want to thank North County Fire for their professional and cooperative attitude in allowing this event to happen. The fire safety “Incident Action Plan” coordinated by Division Chief Dan Goldberg assured that the fireworks show was conducted in a safe manner. Teams of fire professionals were on hand from North County Fire, California Division of Forestry and De Luz Fire Departments to assure our community’s safety.

Traffic was coordinated by the California Highway Patrol and our wonderful team of Sheriff’s Department Senior Volunteers coordinated by Manny Ortega. Everyone did a great job when staying home for the holiday would have been a lot less work.

I can only say that at the end of the fireworks show when Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” played over the grounds of the Grand Tradition, I was not only proud to be an American but proud to be a citizen of Fallbrook.

Don B. McDougal

Vice-President/CEO,

Grand Tradition

Note: If you enjoyed the fireworks from your home and would like to make a donation in appreciation of that toward beautification and maintenance projects in and around Fallbrook, please mail to: Fallbrook Beautification Alliance, PO Box 434, Fallbrook, CA 92088.