Fifteen years after the horrific day when two planes struck the twin towers in New York City, both Peachtree City and Fayetteville are planning special community programs to honor and remember the sacrifices of that day.
Fayetteville officials are planning an ecumenical prayer service in commemoration of those who lost their lives in the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
The city is working collaboratively with several local faith leaders — including the Reverend Dr. David Campbell, pastor of Fayetteville First United Methodist Church; the Rev. Edward Johnson, mayor of Fayetteville; Cantorial Soloist Susan Burden of B’nai Israel Jewish Congregation; Edward Mitchell of the Fayette Islamic Community; and the Rev. Melvin Ware of Mount Olive Baptist Church, with keynote speaker retired U.S. Army Major General Jack Wheeler — to organize a prayer service that will be held in the Old Courthouse Square Sunday Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. Special music will be presented by various faith and community groups.
The entire Fayette County community is invited to “stand in unity” and in prayer to honor those whose lives were lost on this tragic day in America’s history. Everyone is invited to come and stand together in prayer and solidarity in the hope that nothing like this attack on America will ever happen again.
During “Fayetteville Will Never Forget,” special music will be presented by various faith and community groups.
In case of inclement weather, the service will be moved to the sanctuary of Fayetteville First United Methodist Church next to the old courthouse.
In Peachtree City, the day’s activities will begin at 4 p.m. with National Night Out 2016 hosted by the Peachtree City Fire Department and Police Department at Huddleston Elementary. Families can enjoy a variety of activities including cool trucks, inflatables, a rock wall, K-9 unit and more.
The day’s activities continue at The Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater where a special patriotic program has been planned to honor the city’s first responders.
Gates will open at 6 p.m. at The Fred, and the show will begin at 7 p.m. featuring the Starr’s Mill and McIntosh choruses performing a selection of patriotic music.
Headliner Lee Greenwood will take the stage at 8 p.m.
Greenwood has won numerous industry awards including Male Vocalist of the Year for the Academy of Country Music in 1983, two Male Vocalist of the Year awards from the Country Music Association in 1983 & 1984, and a Grammy for Top Male Vocal Performance in 1985 for “I.O.U.”. He also won CMA Song of the Year in 1985 for writing “God Bless the USA.” That song has been voted the most recognizable patriotic song in America.
The singer knows firsthand what it’s like to have loved ones fighting for the freedom of all Americans as his father served in the Navy and the Merchant Marine in World War II. “USA” is now part of the film for Homeland Security shown when swearing in new citizens to the United States.
“God Bless the USA” went far beyond what Greenwood expected when he wrote it in the back of his tour bus in 1983. The song has been in the top five on the country singles charts three times (1991, 2001 and 2003), giving it the distinction of being the only song in any genre of music to achieve that feat. It was also No. 1 on the pop charts after 9/11/01.
“’USA’ is the song I always felt the need to write,” said Greenwood. “I wanted to have something that would unite Americans from coast to coast and to instill pride back in the United States. The song represents my family, my community and those men and women who have paid the price for the freedoms we all love and enjoy.”
Patrons can take advantage of a special buy one, get one free offer and may purchase them either online at www.ticketalternative.com or at The Fred Box Office. For more information, call the box office at 770-631-0630.
