Focuses on Americans’ Sacrifices Throughout U.S. History

With the theme “Our Shared American Heritage: Let Freedom Ring” the 11th Annual Peachtree City Memorial Day remembrance will highlight sacrifices Americans have made throughout the country’s history

This year’s event on Monday, May 25, will start at 9 a.m. with color guards leading a golf cart procession into City Hall/Library Plaza. The golf cart procession, open to the public, begins at The Gathering Place at 8:30 a.m. and winds around a scenic route skirting Lake Peachtree before being heralded into the plaza by marching music.

“This event has steadily grown every year we have it,” said Randy Gaddo, the event’s planner. “Last year we had the largest crowd ever at about 1,200 people, with many families bringing children out to celebrate the true meaning of Memorial Day.”

Memorial Day has been celebrated on the last Monday in May since 1971; prior to that it was observed each year on May 30. This special day is set aside to remember Americans who, throughout this country’s history, have sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of defending and supporting the founding values and principles.

The origins of Memorial Day are subject to interpretation; however, it is generally believed that it had its roots in the American Civil War and it has evolved through the ages.

The original founders involved in the American Revolution were among the first who gave their lives for the cause of freedom. As such, this year’s Peachtree City celebration will return to the roots of the American Spirit and feature involvement by the Sons, Daughters and Children of the American Revolution (SAR, DAR & CAR.).

The guest speaker will be Kevin Baker, who is the immediate past-national president of the Children of the American Revolution. Baker is a college freshman at Gordon College where he serves as student senator, judicial board member, student ambassador and resident advisor. He is an avid community volunteer and historical re-enactor.

He recently completed an exhausting task raising more than $30,000 to provide patriotic educational DVDs to every school system in the nation. Kevin, working with CAR and it‘s parent organizations, joined forces with the St. John’s Church of Richmond, Va., The Patrick Henry Foundation and descendants of Patrick Henry to accomplish the goal. He led a fund raising tour up and down both coasts hitting 17 cities prior to ending his administration on the grounds of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate.

He plans to speak on "Ensuring American Patriotism.”

“I will begin with the founding fathers, the colonial militia and the men and women serving in the military throughout history and our debt to them,” he said. “I will conclude with the need for patriotic education in order to ensure our legacy of freedom and liberty.”

The CAR is the oldest youth organization in the nation and Baker, a Lovejoy resident, was the first Georgia native to be the national president in its 135 year history.

Singing groups will begin performing introductory music at City Hall/Library Plaza at 8:30 a.m. At 9 a.m. when the golf cart procession arrives, honors to the flag will commence, followed by a memorial wreath presentation by the local VFW Post 9949 and American Legion Post 50.

The 2008 first and second place winners of VFW Post 9949’s annual essay contest, the “Patriots Pen,” will read their winning entries as well.

The event is held outdoors at the VFW Memorial in City Hall/Library Plaza unless weather turns inclement, when it is moved across the street to the First Presbyterian Church.

This year, due to city staff reductions, local VFW, American Legion and Marine Corps League post volunteers will assist in setting up and taking down of the event site.

The Kiwanis Club of Peachtree City, VFW Post 9949, American Legion post 50 and the City’s Recreation Department jointly sponsor this event. Call 770-631-2542 for more information.

The American Legion Fayette County Post 105 will host their traditional Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 25 at the Fayetteville City Cemetery at 11 a.m.   The ceremony is open to all citizens of Fayette County and will be held amongst the flag decorated graves of the American veterans buried there.  The historic Fayetteville Cemetery is located on Stonewall Avenue, adjacent to the offices of the Fayette County Board of Education. The ceremony will end at noon.

Special guest speakers will be State Senator Ronnie Chance,  State Representative Matt Ramsey, and Major General Jack Wheeler, US Army Retired.  Members of the McIntosh High School Jazz Band will be on hand to provide the music.  Boy Scout Troop 309 will provide the Color Guard.  Cub Scout Pack 409 will decorate the graves of our veterans.  The Sons of the American Revolution will be firing a musket volley following the playing of Taps to close the ceremony.

All are asked to bring lawn chairs and blankets.  The American Legion will assist with seating for senior citizens.  In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place at the nearby Log Cabin, the home of the American Legion.  The Log Cabin is located at 180 South Glynn Street, GA Highway 85 across the street from the Fayetteville Fire Station.

Memorial Day in Tyrone will be special this year. Beginning at 1 p.m., the observance will include the dedication ceremony for Tyrone Veteran’s Park, formerly known as Triangle Park.

An American flag flown to Washington as part of the Fayette Honor Flight will be returned to fly over the park as part of the dedication.

The transformed park will also include the current Tyrone Veteran’s Memorial Monument that is being moved to Veteran’s Park.

The park will be home to many brick pavers that have been purchased and engraved with a veterans name, branch and date of service and the war in which the veteran fought. The park will also be a garden setting of red and yellow roses and white azaleas.

The Tyrone Veterans Park Committee volunteers will be selling food and drinks May 25 to help fund future development of the park.

For more information on purchasing brick pavers visit www.tyrone.org

Senoia's 4th annual Memorial Day Celebration and Festival begins at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 25th in historic downtown Senoia.

The 116th Army Band, Civil and Revolutionary War Re-enactors, Veterans, Civic Groups, Businesses, Scouts, and Shriners are some of the other parade participants. World War II veterans are the collective Grand Marshals.

The parade begins at 2 p.m. A pre- and post parade show will be emceed by Charlie Filkins and Scott Sargeant of High Octane Radio 92.5, The Bear, also known as The Car Guys of NBC Channel 38 in Columbus. The Chris Youmans Band will perform starting at 10 a.m. and The Premium Tapp Band will perform beginning at 1 p. m. Entertainment, a food court, children’s activities and vendors will be available throughout the day.

The downtown events will be followed by a fireworks display at dark at Marimac Lakes Park on Pylant Street. Pylant Street will be closed from Hwy. 16 to Morgan Street. Please park at the ball fields located on Howard Road and take the paved walking/ golf cart path to the park. Hot dogs, ice cream, Hawaiian shaved ice, etc. will be available. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy a beautiful fireworks display over the lake.

login to post comments