Guest speaker is 15-year old patriot

The guest speaker at this year’s Peachtree City Patriot Day Remembrance on September 10 may raise a few eyebrows, but more likely she will melt hearts and reconfirm confidence in America’s future.

Kierstyn Paulino is a 15-year old politically savvy young woman who wants to make a difference in her world. Her view on America and on patriotism and support of U.S. troops portrays an understanding far beyond her years.

“I became more aware of it on September 11, 2001,” she says. “My interest for public service sprouted from my interest in America and her troops; those interests seem to go hand in hand, at least in my life.”

Most recently, she spearheaded a rally in Atlanta for the national movement called “Operation Completion.” This is a series of rallies in support of U.S. troops being held across the United States beginning in late May and ending in early August. Conceived and planned by 19-year old Mika Derry and conducted completely by teens, their mission is to provide constructive support for our troops and reinforce the mentality that we need to defend America and to support the War on Terror to victory.

Paulino spent hundreds of hours preparing the Atlanta rally, which was held on July 22 on the steps of the capital. She says she wants to support the troops because, “They are the Americans who have the courage and patriotism to keep America a free nation. They are people who deserve our respect and thanks.”

This year’s Patriot Day Remembrance in Peachtree City will be significantly expanded from last year, according to event organizer Randy Gaddo.

The free, public family event will be held on Sunday, September 10 at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater, with gates opening at 3 p.m. and patriotic gathering music starting at 3:30. The official tribute is from 4-6 p.m. By Presidential Proclamation, Patriot Day is a day to remember those who were murdered by terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001, and a day to celebrate American Patriotism.

“The positive message we hope to convey is one of Remembrance and Patriotism and pride in being Americans,” said Gaddo, who is a retired Marine and also the city’s director of parks, recreation and library services.

Gaddo said Paulino is a perfect speaker for the occasion.

“Last year I didn’t see too many people in the audience who were under 30 years old,” Gaddo said of last year’s Remembrance held at the First Baptist Church. “This disturbed me because telling veterans and older Americans about patriotism and the cost of freedom is like preaching to the choir.”

Gaddo said he wanted to see more youth and young adults in the audience, people who may not have the same perspective on the meaning of these terms. So when he read about Paulino and the Operation Completion rally, he immediately contacted her and asked her to speak here.

She agreed and Gaddo met with her and her father, Carl. Gaddo said that after hearing her talk about patriotism and troop support he was moved by her depth of clarity on those subjects and knew he’d made the right choice.

Paulino is home schooled, so much of the credit has to go to her parents. “I asked her dad how she had come by her impressive attitude,” Gaddo commented. “He told me that after taking a particular history course, she just developed it on her own.”

Paulino said that on Patriot Day she would talk about her view on the meaning of patriotism and the importance of supporting our troops as they fight the war on terror.

In addition to the guest speaker, three talented and divergent musical groups will perform and intersperse their very different styles of music throughout the performance.

The Peachtree Wind Ensemble, the city’s own community band composed of friends and neighbors united by a common love of music and country will be featured. Another well-known and respected vocal group, Music Alive, will feature a number of their rousing special arrangements. An exceptionally talented a cappella group known as the Southern Nights Chorale, which last year brought the crowd to its feet, will again present its compelling blend of men’s voices joined in patriotic song.

This year, the show will be augmented by a WWII Rolling Museum, which is a converted fuselage of a C-47 military cargo aircraft. In addition, personnel in uniforms of various services and eras will man authentic military equipment. Revolutionary War enactors from the Sons, Daughters and Children of the American Revolution will patrol the areas, educating people about their era and firing off black powder guns of that period during the formal portion of the event.

The event is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. All amphitheater seating will be available on the same basis. Spectators may bring in food and non-alcoholic drinks or buy food and non-alcoholic beverages from the amphitheater concession, which is planned to be open. Alcoholic drinks will not be allowed at this family event.

In case of inclement weather, the event will be held at First Baptist Church on Willowbend Road, just down the street from City Hall.

For more information, call the recreation department at 770-631-2542, or visit the city’s Web site at www.peachtree-city.org.

login to post comments