On January 3, 2008 the Dawson County Board of Commissioners proclaimed March 28, 2008 as USS Georgia (SSGN 729) Day.

Following a two-year conversion overhaul, the USS Georgia (SSGN 729) will observe its formal return to service as an SSGN on that day at naval submarine base Kings Bay at St. Mary’s, Georgia.

The Peach State’s namesake former TRIDENT submarine, along with four others, has been redesigned and converted “to house 153 Tomahawk Cruise Missiles and provided the ability to carry and deploy from the submarine special operations forces through lockout chambers,” according to Sheila McNeil, past National President of the Navy League of the United States and Chairman of the “Support the SSGN” committee.

To welcome its return to service, Dawson County gladly participated in a tour of the Georgia flag as it makes its way through all 159 counties in Georgia. Last night that flag came to Dawson County. The flag and logbook entry are designated for presentation at the Return to Service ceremony and will serve as a permanent reminder to the crew and future crews that the people of Dawson County appreciate their services and sacrifices.

Honorary Chairman of the Kings Bay ceremony is Gov. Sonny Perdue. Between 3000 and 4000 people are expected to attend.

Georgia State Flag Logbook Entry

This is to certify that the Georgia State Flag, officially designated for presentation to USS Georgia (SSGN 729) at the Return to Service Ceremony on March 28, 2008, was present in:

Dawson County, Georgia
in the City of Dawsonville, Georgia
on the 3rd day of January, in the year 2008.

On behalf of the citizens of Dawson County, Georgia, we welcome all USS Georgia crewmembers and their families to Georgia. We are proud of their service to our country and proud to have our Georgia State Namesake Submarine home-ported at Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay, in the great State of Georgia.

For the people of Dawson County, Georgia,

_______________________________________________
Mike Berg, Chairman
Dawson County Board of Commissioners

PROCLAMATION

USS GEORGIA (SSGN 729) DAY

A PROCLAMATION by the County of Dawson, Georgia designating March 28, 2008 as USS GEORGIA DAY.

WHEREAS, today, on behalf of all Dawson County citizens, we welcome the crew members, families, and friends of the USS GEORGIA (SSGN 729); and

WHEREAS, Dawson County has an exceptional supportive relationship with all the military services based in and around Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base, and we are proud of our United States Naval Submarine Force; and

WHEREAS, the USS GEORGIA (SSGN 729) "Return to Service" festivities provide an opportunity to showcase our Submarine Force and increase awareness of the investment Americans have made in the United States Navy's deterrent force; and

WHEREAS, we live in freedom only by the contribution and sacrifices made by those extraordinary men and women, as well as their families, who serve our nation in times of peace and national peril; and

WHEREAS, the collective endeavors of many dedicated citizens of Dawson County during numerous group trips to Washington, D.C. to lobby the United States Congress, assisted in securing funding for the SSGN conversion program, and for the USS GEORGIA (SSGN 729) being located at Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base; and

WHEREAS, the conversion of the USS Georgia (SSGN 729), and three other SSGNs, into strike warfare and Special Operation Forces support platforms, has significantly increased our nation's capability to fight terrorism;

NOW, THEREFORE, we do hereby proudly proclaim Friday, the 28th of March 2008 to be:
USS GEORGIA (SSGN 729) DAY

IN DAWSON COUNTY, GEORGIA

This 3rd day of January, 2008