MOULTRIE, Ga. — People from across Georgia showed up to support the Friends of the NRA Thursday night at their third annual banquet at Spence Field.

It was a packed house inside Maule hangar with two auctions and multiple speakers with proceeds going to the Georgia ROTC.

Some of the auction items included football memorabilia, guns, and items from classic movies and TV shows such as “Smokey and the Bandit” and “Magnum, PI.”

The night started off with the Air Force color guard presenting the colors followed by an electric performance of the national anthem and other American favorite songs by Danny Dawson that got the crowd fired up.

Dawson said he was happy to be able to perform at the banquet.

“It’s great. I’m just honored to be here tonight,” said Dawson. “The invitation was overwhelming.

“I’m not a real political man,” he said, “but I support what they are doing here. I feel we need to keep our guns. It’s important because our country was built on guns and it has kept this country safe.”

Some of the speakers for the night included Col. Mike Steele, Lucretia Hughes, Rev. Clay Luke, and event organizer Dennis Futch just to name a few. They spoke words of encouragement to the people there to get them fired up.

Moultrie City Manager Pete Dillard said he enjoyed the community aspect of the event.  

“This is an outstanding event put on by Dennis Futch and when he puts something together its usually successful,” said Dillard. “It benefits the young people of the community and that is something I can always get behind.”