Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Big day planned for memorial celebration in Peachtree City

Memorial Day planners in Peachtree City are finalizing plans as they prepare for the 6th annual Peachtree City Memorial Day celebration May 31 starting at 7:30 a.m. The public is invited and encouraged to come out early to celebrate the true purpose of Memorial Day - to honor those who have died in service to our country - before enjoying the rest of the holiday with family and friends.

The traditional patriotic golf cart procession begins with coffee and donuts at the Gathering Place at 7 a.m. The actual procession steps off at 7:30 and winds its way around Lake Peachtree to arrive at City Hall Plaza. In the past, more than 200 golf carts have participated. The public is invited to participate and may decorate their golf carts in appropriate patriotic fashion if they wish.

The theme of this year's remembrance is "What Stands if Freedom Fall?" This is a line from a 1914 poem, "For All We Have and Are," by Rudyard Kipling. In the poem he speculates on the consequences of England not joining in the war effort: "The Hun is at the gate! Our world has passed away...What stands if Freedom fall? Who dies if England lives?"

"It is vitally important that we never take for granted the sacrifices others have made in the past so that we can live a free life in America," said Randy Gaddo, the event coordinator. "But in these times we also need to recognize that Americans are overseas as we celebrate. They are fighting and dying for the same freedom that their forefathers fought to preserve since the birth of our nation. We need to meld past, present and future together in this commemoration."

The Community Band performs patriotic music beginning at 7:30 at City Hall Plaza and ceremonial music immediately after the event. There will be a display of military weapons and equipment. as well. Refreshments will be available for the public. Winners of the annual essay contest for 5th through 8th graders are to be announced and receive awards with the top winner reading his or her essay. The contest is based on the celebration's theme.

The Memorial Day Celebration will be topped off with a flyover featuring aircraft of the Commemorative Air Force’s local Dixie Wing. At least three, hopefully four, of the WWII-era aircraft based at Falcon Field are scheduled to be flown.

“Memorial Day is all about remembering those who have died in service to the United States,” says Memorial Day coordinator Randy Gaddo. “The missing man formation symbolizes recognition of those who have fallen in battle. It is a fitting and respectful gesture.”

The formation bring the aircraft into spectators’ view just after taps is played. They come in at 1,000 feet, as required by the FAA when flying near crowds. As the formation reaches city hall plaza, one of the aircraft will leave the formation in a steep climb, symbolizing the departure of fallen comrades.

The lead pilot is John Currenti, a Peachtree City resident and a pilot with Delta. Currenti is an Air Force lieutenant colonel who flies F-16’s. He readily accepted the offer to perform the flyover. “It’s always an honor to pay tribute to the many vets who have served this great country,” he says.

The Memorial Day Celebration begins with a golf cart procession from the Gathering Place around Lake Peachtree to City Hall Plaza. The public is invited to join the procession, starting with coffee and donuts at 7 a.m. at the Gathering Place, with the procession starting at 7:30. Golf carts may be patriotically decorated.

The formal celebration begins at 8 a.m. with honors to the flag, patriotic music, precision drill by JROTC cadets and more. The flyover is scheduled, weather permitting, right after taps is played.

This year's guest speaker, Army Colonel Iva Wilson-Burke the strategic planning officer at the headquarters of the Georgia National Guard. Wilson-Burke is a 25-year veteran serving six active duty years in the Army before transferring to the National Guard in 1987. She brings a message not only of remembrance for past American heroes who died in service to their country, but for present day heroes who continue the fight for freedom in Iraq, Afghanistan and other parts of the world. As a National Guard officer, she maintains a full-time civil service position as well as a military position. Her full-time positions have included State Equal Employment Manager, State Education Officer, Organizational Development Officer and Visual Information and Distance Learning Manager. Some military assignments have included Human Relations and Equal Opportunity Officer, Education Officer, Military Plans Officer and Civil Affairs Officer.

She has been awarded four Army Commendations, a Meritorious Service Medal, two Georgia Meritorious Service Medals, the Georgia Commendation Medal and the Georgia National Service Medal, among other personal and unit awards.

The Peachtree Post of the VFW, the Peachtree Kiwanis Club and the City’s Leisure Services Division host the Memorial Day Celebration. For more information call 770-631-2542. In case of inclement weather, the celebration will be held at First Presbyterian Church, across the street from City Hall.

Members of the Peachtree City Community Band play during 2003's ceremony

Golf carts cue up at the Gathering Place preparing for the golf cart procession at the 2003 ceremony.

The East Coweta High School JROTC Color Guard prepares to lead the golf cart procession into city hall plaza during the 2002 ceremony.

An estimated crowd of more than 700 watched last year's ceremony.

Members of the East Coweta High School Color detail prepare to raise the flag during last year's ceremony.