Wednesday, March 20, 2002
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Wednesday, March 20, 2002 |
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The day red carnations rained on Sen. Talmadge By CAROLYN CARY I remember with fondness the occasion of the late Sen. Herman Talmadge visiting our fair county. The Fayette County Sesquicentennial was held in the early summer of 1971, and one of those invited to speak was Sen. Talmadge. He had been our senator for 20 years at that time, and this was the first time he had been invited to speak here. One of the committee members got the bright idea to drop 200 red carnations down into the old courthouse square, where events were being held. I obtained the use of a United States Air Force helicopter from Dobbins Air Force base. I had to clear this with several dozen entities and it was to land at the airport in Peachtree City. The Peachtree City police chief was to be nearby with his radio handy. On the Fayetteville end, the Fayetteville police chief was to be in his car, ready to send the message that the senator was just about through with his speech, and to start the helicopter on its way. Now bear in mind that in the process of getting all the last minute details in place, I was up three days and three nights without any sleep. So it should come as no surprise that early on the morning it was to start, I literally fell off my carport steps and fractured a foot. It was put in a cast and I was told to stay in bed for several days. Sure. I had eight days of activities to tend to. When it sounded like the senator was about to wind down, I motioned to my son to go to the Fayetteville police car and start the whole carnation drop affair. Only the Fayetteville police chief was not to be found anywhere. Deciding he was not going to get the message, and feeling that enough time had passed, the Peachtree City chief went ahead and started the helicopter on its way. I could hear it coming and punched the person next to me to tell the guest speaker what was going to happen. Too late, here come the flowers down upon us. Needless to say, the speaker looked a little surprised. But all worked out, however. Someone handed Talmadge one of the carnations, and he turned around and laid it down on the monument we were unveiling to our war veterans. Sitting beside this memorial was George White, a native of Fayette and the county's highest decorated veteran. He placed his flower across the first one to form a cross. Tears rained. While I planned the first part of the event, and it didn't work out, the unplanned second part worked out beautifully. Thanks to the understanding of the late Sen. Herman Talmadge.
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