City Hall Plaza will be the site for local Memorial Day celebrations the morning of Monday, May 29.

The Peachtree City VFW, Kiwanis Club and the city itself are cosponsoring the second annual Memorial Day celebration beginning at 7:45 a.m.

This year's program expands on the inaugural celebration held last year. “This year we'll have a four-man drum and bagpipe ceremonial team that includes precision rifle drills,” said city leisure services director Randy Gaddo, who plans and orchestrates the ceremony at the VFW Memorial in City Hall Plaza.

“The team includes a former member of the Marine Corps Silent Drill Team, and he'll perform the ceremonial rifle inspection, with fixed bayonet,” he added. “It's very impressive.”

Gaddo also said that there will be a display of military anti-armor equipment mounted on HumVees.

The theme for this year's celebration is “Freedom is Never Free.” An essay contest for students in grades 5-8 in Peachtree City schools is underway using that theme.

Winners will receive gift certificates and other awards, and the top three overall winners will read their compositions of 250-300 words during the ceremony.

The day will kick off with a golf cart parade that starts at the Gathering Place at approximately 7:30 and winds its way around Lake Peachtree until it crosses the Ga. Highway 54 cart bridge and proceeds to City Hall Plaza.

In the lead cart will be the guest of honor, retired Marine Gen. Raymond G. Davis. The Rockdale County resident earned the Medal of Honor in Korea, the Navy Cross in World War II and is considered by many a living legend in military history.

The golf carts will be led into City Hall Plaza by a VFW color guard as well as one from the JROTC detachment at East Coweta High School. Live music will be provided by the Peachtree City Music Machine and by the drums and pipes.

Father David Epps of Christ the King Episcopal Church, himself a former Marine, will be the master of ceremonies. The pledge of allegiance will be led by a local Cub Scout pack. The VFW will also lay a wreath at the memorial.

Event organizers hope that this year's celebration will be heavily attended by parents and their children.

“We held the essay contest to involve children, because we think it's important that they understand the meaning of Memorial Day,” said Gaddo.

Memorial Day, originally call Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. Its origins date back to the Civil War era.

“It is important that today's youth understand that many men and women have sacrificed so that we can all enjoy the level of freedom we do in our country,” said Gaddo. “And sacrifices will continue to be made by their generation as well.”

In the event of bad weather, a modified ceremony will be held in the City Hall council chambers. For more information, contact the Recreation Department at 770-631-2542.

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