Friday, March 28, 2003
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Friday, March 28, 2003 |
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Planners finalize Memorial Day event USO vice chairman to be guest speaker; essay contest announcedIn a year when the U.S. faces armed conflict in Iraq, hostilities in Korea and a war on terrorism, Memorial Day planners here feel it is important for Americans to be prepared to support troops, regardless of how they feel about the political aspects of these events. That is why the guest speaker for this year's celebration will be the vice chairman of the USO in Georgia. Retired Army Major General Gordon J. Duquemin will speak during ceremonies at City Hall Plaza May 26. He will join with other honored guests and an expected 500 or more spectators for Peachtree City's Fifth Annual Memorial Day Celebration. In addition, the annual Memorial Day Essay Contest has been announced in Peachtree City schools for grades 5-8. This year's theme for the essay contest is "Freedom Worth Fighting For." The top three winners will receive savings bonds, certificates and flags. Other top winners will receive gift certificates and other awards. The Peachtree City VFW Post, the Peachtree City Kiwanis Club and the City of Peachtree City jointly sponsor the Memorial Day celebration. Memorial Day organizers felt this was a fitting time for the USO to bring its message of support home, as the nation remembers the men and women who have given their lives in service to the United States. "Regardless of how people might feel about the decisions their political leaders make, when the balloon goes up the men and women of the military forces are there to do the job that United States taxpayers expect them to do," said Randy Gaddo, Memorial Day coordinator and a retired U.S. Marine. "Many give their lives in the process. Once the men and women of the armed forces are engaged in conflict, it is important for them to know that their country supports them." The day's celebration will begin with coffee and donuts at the Gathering Place, the starting site for a golf cart parade that leaves there about 7:30 a.m. and winds around Lake Peachtree to City Hall Plaza. The public is invited to join this procession. Just be at the Gathering Place about 7 a.m. with your golf cart. Organizers encourage people to decorate their golf carts in patriotic style. Beginning at 7:30 a.m. at City Hall Plaza, two live music groups will begin warming up the crowd gathering there with patriotic music. The Peachtree City Community Band and the singing group Music Alive will perform together for the first time since their last combined performance at the 2002 Sept. 11 remembrance at the Amphitheater. Young Americans will also help celebrate. East Coweta High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC cadets will provide a color guard and will perform the morning colors ceremony. This group has participated in all past Memorial Day events here. This year, for the first time, cadets from the Peachtree City Civil Air Patrol (CAP) will perform an unarmed innovative drill demonstration. This team took top honors at drill competition in February at the Georgia CAP Wing Cadet Competition, winning in every area of competition. Top winners in the Memorial Day Essay Contest will be announced and presented their awards. The top overall essay winner will read his or her essay. Organizers urge people to plan on attending. "This is an excellent opportunity to come out early and celebrate the true meaning of Memorial Day, and still have the rest of the day to spend with friends and family," said Gaddo. The event will end about 9:15 a.m. Refreshments will be available for the public.
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