Senior Agent Wayne Parker of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division recently received a letter of commendation from a high-ranking officer of the United States Army Reserve. Major General Richard E. Coleman expressed his appreciation for the service Sr. Agent Parker performed during a visit of South Korean military commanders.  Brigadier General Tae Keun Park and Lieutenant Colonel Sang Ju Jeong were attending a three-day war planning seminar in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The men have attended the annual meeting several times and regularly make requests to visit special sites. This year, they asked to travel on the Mississippi River. Sr. Agent Parker was contacted and asked to escort the men down the river.Sr. Agent Parker met the men and they put in at the Vicksburg Waterfront. As they traveled up the Yazoo Diversion Canal, the men immediately asked if
they were going to encounter any alligators. When they were told it was unlikely, they seemed a bit disappointed, but excited nonetheless. While traveling along the canal, Sr. Agent Parker was able to point out several Civil War sites and strategic points along the river.  When the group entered the river, Gen. Park and Lt. Col. Jeong were noticeably impressed. The threat of rain forced the men back to the landing earlier than hoped. But before leaving the river, Sr. Agent Parker led the men on a pass under the Vicksburg Bridge.  When they arrived back at the waterfront, Gen. Park greeted the gathered officials and crowd with a large grin and two thumbs up. The three posed for several pictures before exchanging mementos of the occasion. Sr. Agent Parker was presented with a brass coin that had been specially engraved with the design of the general. He returned the favor by presenting the dignitaries with LDWF Enforcement shoulder patches.  In a special letter sent to Sr. Agent Parker's commanding officer, Major General Richard Coleman recognized him as "a superb ambassador for the state of Louisiana and the United States." He also acknowledged his proper safe boating techniques, as well as his knowledge of recreational and cultural opportunities in the area. Said Major General Coleman, "It is this kind of state and Federal cooperation that makes this nation strong.