Deadline

for the essays, between 250 and 500 words, is Friday,

April 28, at 5 p.m. Contest entries can be dropped off at

any of the above locations or mailed to the Recreation

Department, 2000 Memorial Day Contest, 191 McIntosh

Trail, Peachtree City 30269.

Three

winners will be selected at each of the grade levels from

all participating schools - including Peeples

Elementary, Rising Starr Middle and St. Paul's Lutheran

- as well as home-schooled students. Winning

students will receive gift certificates and letters of

congratulations from the mayor of Peachtree City, the VFW

commander and the president of the Kiwanis Club.

A first,

second and third place overall winner will be chosen from

the final selections, and those essays will be read by

the students at the Memorial Day tribute. The top overall

winner will receive a $100 U.S. Savings Bond, while the

next two receive $50 each.

For

information, call the Recreation Department at

770-631-2542.

The guest

of honor and featured speaker for this year's event is

retired Marine Corps Gen. Raymond G. Davis, one of the

most highly decorated Marines in history and winner of

every medal for valor and heroism the country has to

offer.

A four-star

general and assistant commander of the Marine Corps when

he retired in 1981, Davis earned the Medal of Honor, Navy

Cross, Silver Star and Bronze Star, among dozens of other

personal and service awards. A native of Stockbridge in

nearby Henry County, he lives there now.

This year's

event also will feature a display of military anti-armor

equipment and weapons, a bagpipe/drum team that features

precision sword and rifle drill, music by the local group

Music Alive, and a VFW memorial wreath laying. There will

also be the nontraditional golf cart parade from the

Gathering Place to City Hall.

The public

is invited. The tribute begins at 7:30 a.m. Traditional

marching music will begin at approximately 7:45, with the

program scheduled to run from 8-9:15.