City Hall

Plaza will be the site for local Memorial Day

celebrations the morning of Monday, May 29.

The

Peachtree City VFW, Kiwanis Club and the city itself are

cosponsoring the second annual Memorial Day celebration

beginning at 7:45 a.m.

This year's

program expands on the inaugural celebration held last

year. "This year we'll have a four-man drum and

bagpipe ceremonial team that includes precision rifle

drills," said city leisure services director Randy

Gaddo, who plans and orchestrates the ceremony at the VFW

Memorial in City Hall Plaza.

"The

team includes a former member of the Marine Corps Silent

Drill Team, and he'll perform the ceremonial rifle

inspection, with fixed bayonet," he added.

"It's very impressive."

Gaddo also

said that there will be a display of military anti-armor

equipment mounted on HumVees.

The theme

for this year's celebration is "Freedom is Never

Free." An essay contest for students in grades 5-8

in Peachtree City schools is underway using that theme.

Winners

will receive gift certificates and other awards, and the

top three overall winners will read their compositions of

250-300 words during the ceremony.

The day

will kick off with a golf cart parade that starts at the

Gathering Place at approximately 7:30 and winds its way

around Lake Peachtree until it crosses the Ga. Highway 54

cart bridge and proceeds to City Hall Plaza.

In the lead

cart will be the guest of honor, retired Marine Gen.

Raymond G. Davis. The Rockdale County resident earned the

Medal of Honor in Korea, the Navy Cross in World War II

and is considered by many a living legend in military

history.

The golf

carts will be led into City Hall Plaza by a VFW color

guard as well as one from the JROTC detachment at East

Coweta High School. Live music will be provided by the

Peachtree City Music Machine and by the drums and pipes.

Father

David Epps of Christ the King Episcopal Church, himself a

former Marine, will be the master of ceremonies. The

pledge of allegiance will be led by a local Cub Scout

pack. The VFW will also lay a wreath at the memorial.

Event

organizers hope that this year's celebration will be

heavily attended by parents and their children.

"We

held the essay contest to involve children, because we

think it's important that they understand the meaning of

Memorial Day," said Gaddo.

Memorial

Day, originally call Decoration Day, is a day of

remembrance for those who have died in our nation's

service. Its origins date back to the Civil War era.

"It is

important that today's youth understand that many men and

women have sacrificed so that we can all enjoy the level

of freedom we do in our country," said Gaddo.

"And sacrifices will continue to be made by their

generation as well."

In the

event of bad weather, a modified ceremony will be held in

the City Hall council chambers. For more information,

contact the Recreation Department at 770-631-2542.