Friday, June 1, 2001
Friday, June 1, 2001 |
|
Hundreds turn out for Memorial Day festivities By CAROLYN
CARY
It is vital that American citizens support their military personnel, said Tommy Clack, keynote speaker at Peachtree City's third annual Memorial Day celebration Monday. "When my Dad, who was wounded in World War II, took me to the Atlanta airport prior to my leaving for Viet Nam, I was spit upon," Clack told the crowd of about 500 who turned out in rainy weather to honor Americans who have died in military service. "When I returned in this wheelchair, I was still spit upon," added Clack. "The United States military is currently serving, in harm's way, in 137 places around the world. We must support these men and women, whether we agree with the particular conflict they are serving in or not," he said. Currently serving as field office manager for the Veterans Administration in Conyers, Clack paid a heavy personal price to preserve the freedom that Americans often take for granted. He was severely wounded May 29, 1969, as a forward observer at the front lines in Cambodia calling in air and artillery strikes on enemy positions. He lost both legs above the knee, all of his right arm and had internal injuries and loss of hearing. He spent the next several years in hospitals getting endless operations. "He paid a heavy toll for us," said the Rev. David Epps, a police chaplain and a Marine veteran who served as master of ceremonies for Monday's event, "but he overcame the grief of his ordeal and turned his energies to becoming an advocate for veterans." Clack began his speech by honoring the wives and children who are left behind to serve at the home front during times of conflict. "I am an eighth-generation military man in my family," Clack said. "Our first generation in this land came from England and was known as 'red coats.' By the second generation, however, we got on the right side and have since served in the United States military. "My son, Adam, 15, has recently decided to become the ninth generation to serve, and I look forward to that day. "Servicemen not only serve to protect their country but also to protect the buddies beside them," Clack said. "I am just grateful that my name does not appear on the Viet Nam Memorial wall, in section 24 west, line 13, where the names of many of my buddies are recorded." Epps, in introducing the program, quoted from the inaugural speech of President John F. Kennedy: "Pay any price, bear any burden. The origins of what used to be called Decoration Day are said to go all the way back to the Civil War, when organized women's groups in the South decorated graves. It was officially observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery." The festivities were conducted under the direction of Randy Gaddo, Peachtree City's director of leisure services, along with the Kiwanis Club of Peachtree City and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9949, Peachtree City. Participating in various parts of the program were the Peachtree City musical group Music Alive, directed by Linda Hooper; Cub Scout Pack 201, which led the Pledge of Allegiance; the Naval Service Pipes and Drum Ceremonial Detail from the Naval Air Station in Atlanta; the 4th Force Service Support Group based at the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Training Center in Marietta, who performed the flag raising; the color detail from the Marine Corps JROTC unit at East Coweta High School; and the Marine Aircraft Group 42 at the Naval Air Station in Atlanta, who performed the 21-gun salute. At the conclusion of the services, Master Sgt. Goalen, United States Marine Corps Reserve, Naval Air Station, Atlanta, sounded Eight Bells, the traditional signaling of the completion of the watch aboard Naval ships. Jay Duncan, a student at Kedron Elementary School and son of a Desert Storm veteran, took first place last week in a Memorial Day essay contest for fifth graders sponsored by the Peachtree City Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9949, the Kiwanis of Peachtree City and the Peachtree City Recreation Department. The subject was "Bear Any Burden, Pay Any Price" and 138 entries representing seven schools were received. In his essay, the winner mentioned that his dad fought in Desert Storm and missed Jay's first Christmas and first birthday. "However," he said, "those who lost their lives in Desert Storm will miss all their holidays." He received a $100 savings bond and a certificate presented by state Sen. Mitch Seabaugh for a United States flag that will be flown over the Georgia State Capitol. When it arrives at Kedron it will be dedicated to Sonya Tucker, a Kedron school counselor who will be leaving Kedron this summer. Kedron was responsible for submitting 100 entries out of the 138 submitted. Second place went to Lisa Brannon, attending Oak Grove Elementary, and third place went to Carl Scheumann, from Kedron Elementary. The winners were congratulated by Memorial Day speaker Tommy Clack, received United States savings bonds and state flags presented by Seabaugh.
|