Peachtree City’s Memorial Day celebration Monday morning will specifically honor veterans of World War II in addition to all others who have served our country in the armed forces.

The event will start at 8:30 a.m. when a golf cart procession will lead from the Gathering Place around Lake Peachtree to City Hall plaza, where the program will take place.

At the same time, local musical group Music Alive! will present introductory music at City Hall plaza. The program will start at 9 a.m., one hour later than last year so more people can attend, organizers said.

In addition to the traditional honors to the flag and the memorial wreath presentation, authentic World War II weapons and vehicles will be displayed at the plaza. Winners of two Memorial Day essay contests will also read their winning essays at the event.

Weather permitting, there will be a flyover of military aircraft and a silent drill by Junior ROTC cadets, organizers said. There will also be WWII-era live music.

The guest speaker will be Carl Bennett, who served in the Marines in World War II and was in one of the first waves to go ashore at Guadalcanal, the Allied forces’ first major offensive action of the Pacific War. Packing a machine gun, Bennett endured the entire six-month battle. He is the father of Stuart Bennett of Peachtree City, who is the chief deputy superintendent of schools for Georgia.

The public is invited to participate in the golf cart procession by decorating their cart in a patriotic theme. This year’s theme for the event is “For your tomorrow, we gave our today.”

Spectators will be provided refreshments including bagels, donuts, coffee, juice and water.

In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at Peachtree City First Presbyterian Church on Willowbend Road near City Hall.

The event is cosponsored by the Peachtree City Kiwanis Club, the Peachtree City Post 9949 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the city’s Leisure Services division. American Legion Post 50 also will provide support.

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