Friday, January 25, 2002
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Friday, January 25, 2002 |
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Memorial Day organizers update requirements for "surprise" April 15 Set as Deadline for Submissions
Organizers of the fourth annual Peachtree City Memorial Day Celebration have broadened submission requirements and announced April 15 as the submission deadline for items from Peachtree City residents that will be part of a "surprise" to be unveiled at the ceremony. Randy Gaddo, Memorial Day coordinator, said officials will be keeping a tight lid on exactly what the surprise will be. The item will be unveiled and featured at the 2002 Memorial Day celebration May 27. "We have extended the submission categories to those who were in active service to the United States, but did not die during that service," Gaddo explained. "Obviously, because this is a memorial effort, individuals being remembered must be deceased. However, if someone served honorably but died at a later time due to causes either related or unrelated to their service, they are still eligible to have items submitted in their memory." Originally, it was required that the person died while in direct and active service to the country. Gaddo said the decision to broaden submission requirements was made after people began to call in with questions shortly after the effort was announced about two weeks ago. "Our focus is to provide a means whereby people can express their patriotic spirit by providing items memorializing a person or a group of people they knew who served to protect our freedoms in some way. So we felt that this change would enable more people to express their patriotism," Gaddo said. Jan Zink, local resident and vice chairman of the Peachtree City Recreation Commission, will help coordinate development of the surprise. "We are accepting items from Peachtree City residents," said Zink. "We're looking for items that in some way commemorate a deceased loved one or friend, or a group of people, who served our country. These items will become part of a larger, permanent commemoration that will reflect our civic pride." Memorial Day is celebrated each year to remember those who have died while in service to the United States. This not only includes the military services, but also other federal agencies such as the CIA or FBI, local law enforcement agencies and others who serve for the greater good. This will also include those killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, since those people are considered the first casualties in the War on Terrorism. Gaddo also pointed out that the items need not be limited to any specific time period, such as World War II. "Items can depict service going back to the Revolutionary War if desired," he said. "We want to make sure people understand that it is not only the military services who defend our freedom on a daily basis," said Gaddo, who is a retired Marine. "Everyone has a part in the freedom process, and we want to memorialize them all in this community symbol of national unity and resolve." Examples of items being sought are military medals, unit patches, letters, military or government service memorabilia, photographs and other items that in some way memorialize a person or group of people who have served or have made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. Zink will have the final word on whether a contribution is acceptable. The final size of the surprise depends on the number of contributions, and Zink stresses that items will not be returned. "Please don't contribute an item that is irreplaceable or that you want returned," she said. Items may be altered slightly in order to make them suitable for the purpose. Gaddo said the final product will be permanently displayed in public buildings such as the library. There are guidelines on what can be contributed. "We are looking for relatively small items," Zink said. No items, including photographs, should be larger than eight inches by 10 inches in diameter, and no more than one inch thick. Items can be delivered to the Recreation Department at 191 McIntosh Trail from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Contributors will be asked to fill out a form with pertinent information about the submission. The Recreation Department will reserve the right to conduct appropriate verification of authenticity of items submitted. Inclusion of items may be limited by design and final selection will be at the discretion of the artist. For information call the Recreation Department at 770-631-2542. "This is a creative work in progress, and we may find we need to tweak the guidelines more as we move toward completion," said Gaddo.
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