Fayetteville to host first 9/11 tribute

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Main Street Fayetteville along with local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts will host the first-ever Fayette County 9-11 Tribute on Sept. 11.

The tribute will be held at 6 p.m. at the Brightmoor-Southern Ground Amphitheater.

The free event honors the lives lost during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Somerset County, Pennsylvania, as well as the public safety and military first responders and civilians who participated in rescue operations. Additionally, a special tribute during the event will be paid to the nation’s military Prisoners of War and Missing in Action, city staff said.

The Marine Corps League and several local churches will provide inspirational music, and guest speakers will include American Legion Post 50 Commander Mark Gelhardt, Sr., Fayette County Sheriff Barry Babb, and U. S. Army Brigadier General (Ret.) Rock Donahue. Michael Stuart will serve as master of ceremonies.

A city press release noted that just outside the amphitheater in the Fayette County High School parking lot, static and interactive displays will include vehicles and booths from the Fayetteville Fire Department, Fayetteville Police Department and Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.

The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation, based in nearby Hampton, will also have their Vietnam War-era Cobra and Huey helicopters on display prior to lifting off to perform a flyover during the Fayette County 9-11 Tribute program. Displays will open at 5 p.m.

Guests can enjoy barbecue treats from Rick’s Ribs. Frozen desserts will be offered by TCBY.

Pertaining to health and safety measures, they have been implemented at the Brightmoor-Southern Ground Amphitheater to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Staff will wear protective masks and gloves, and guests are asked to do the same. Sanitizing stations are located throughout the venue, and the entire facility will be thoroughly cleaned prior to each event. Common surfaces will be disinfected through the duration of each event. Complete health and safety guidelines are located on the amphitheater website, www.southerngroundamp.com.

Face masks or other face coverings are encouraged during the Fayette County 9-11 Tribute event, and social distancing will be enforced.

The event is being organized through the cooperation of Main Street Fayetteville, American Legion Post 105 (Fayetteville), American Legion Post 50 (Peachtree City), Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3650 (Fayetteville), Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9949 (Peachtree City) and the Marine Corps League Detachment 1325 (Peachtree City).

Donors wishing to support the Fayette County 9-11 Tribute program financially may do so at the event or by mailing contributions to American Legion Post 105, P.O. Box 441, Fayetteville, Georgia 30214. Checks should be written to American Legion Post 105 and designated for “9-11 Tribute.”

Event sponsorships are also available by contacting Mayor Ed Johnson (ejohnson@fayetteville-ga.gov), VFW Post 3650 Commander Ronald Stubbs (rjstubbs@bellsouth.net) or American Legion Post 105 Commander Bill Kempf (bkempf@bellsouth.net).

For more information about the Fayette County 9-11 Tribute and other events at the Brightmoor-Southern Ground Amphitheater, contact the Main Street Fayetteville office at 770-719-4173 or jwaits@fayetteville-ga.gov.