Larry Jones came up with what he thought was a great way to show appreciation for all the firefighters who helped battle the recent wildfire in Gulf State Park.

Other folks thought so, too. And he when he asked who might coordinate such an event, all eyes turned to him.

“I’m still the guy in the barrel it looks like it,” Jones said. “Everybody else says ‘we’re getting ready for Shrimp Festival,’ or ‘we’re busy getting ready for the powerboat races. And Larry it was your idea so you handle the details.’”

With the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approaching, Jones thought it would be a fitting time to let the local fire crews know how much their efforts on the Gulf State Park fire were appreciated.

“We were wanting to honor or thank all the first responders, the Alabama Forestry people and all the local and area fire departments that all sweated it out for six or seven days this summer out there fighting that fire and basically saved the Fourth of July weekend for us,” Jones said. “It got up to be where it was close to 9/11 so I’m trying to tie it to 9/11 victims and first responders. And particular thanking our first responders .

On Sunday a reception will be held at the Orange Beach Community Center and after a brief ceremony there will be refreshments and a time to visit with firefighters from Orange Beach and Gulf Shores and other departments.

“We did up some pretty neat T-shirts to give to each of the guys, we have posters signed by the two mayors to present to the fire chiefs and heads of the other agencies involved,” Jones said.  “The two city councils are doing proclamations that either the mayors or members of the city councils will present. “