The public is encouraged to attend the re-dedication ceremony of the Veterans Memorial Saturday, Sept. 26, rain or shine. The Veterans Memorial is located in the center of the eight-acre Memorial Patriot Park at 1100-1102 Redwine Road in Fayetteville.
Highlights of the agenda include:
7:30-8:30 a.m. Roll Call: Reading of 419 names of service members who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. A bell will be rung by Cadet Captain Web Kieran, JROTC, after each name.
9:00 a.m. Ceremony begins. Master of Ceremonies will be Ed Johnson, Fayetteville’s Mayor Pro Tem.
Army Color Guard presents arms during the lowering of the flag.
Patriot Guard Riders travel down Redwine Road and man static flag line.
Fayette County High School concert band plays the National Anthem.
Wreaths are laid on the memorial by Mayor Clifton and Cadet Commander Sergeant Major Anthony Fawling, AROTC.
Fly-over by Huey UH-1 helicopters.
Speakers:
Mayor Greg Clifton has been serving as Fayetteville’s mayor since January 2012. Clifton is a 1980 graduate of the University of Georgia and has been employed by Computer & Control Solutions Inc., since 1989. His father, a former Delta pilot, served on the Fayetteville City Council for over 30 years.
Representative John Yates was raised on a farm in Spalding County during the Great Depression and is the last World War II veteran in the state legislature, where he has been serving since 1989. His military service included extensive service during the Battle of the Bulge. While flying over 200 missions near or over enemy lines, he was awarded six air medals and four battle stars.
Larry Dell served on the City Council for Fayetteville and was one of the originators of the Memorial.
Brigadier General “Rock” Donahue retired from the United States Army in 2013 after 30 years of active federal commissioned service. Since 2014, he has been serving as Executive Director of Georgia Military College’s new campus in Fayetteville.
The ceremony will conclude with a benediction by Chaplain Koon, and is expected to last approximately one hour.
