Pocono News Section

Camelbeach Honors Memorial Day

Camelbeach Honors Memorial Day - Friday, May 22, 2009 at 6:10PM EST

TANNERSVILLE, MONROE COUNTY - The Memorial Day holiday is often known more for parties and picnics than for patriotism. Camelbeach water park in the Poconos is trying to combine the true meaning of the holiday with some fun.
Camelbeach employee Ross Fortner wants to make sure everything is set up just right at the park this weekend because the events there will honor the real meaning behind Memorial Day. He said, "I'm proud to be working for an organization that stands behind military benefits and stands behind military people in general."

Fortner is a military person himself. He served as a sergeant in Iraq. During his two tours of duty, he earned two purple hearts. He said, "It really becomes something special for you to be able to say that you're a part of a small group of a small group - relatively speaking that have served this country."

This weekend Camelbeach will honor families who sacrifice for our country. The waterpark will host a memorial event Saturday at noon. Rides will close during a brief moment of silence. In addition, some of the admission fee will benefit "Operation Military Kids." The organization provides services for kids who have a parent serving in the military or who lost a parent to war.

The fundraiser is just the first of five this summer. Camelbeach hopes to make a big splash by donating $50,000 to charities by the end of the season.

That makes Camelbeach a great getaway and a great way to help the community.

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