Preliminary

events will begin at approximately 7:30 a.m. with a golf cart procession

from the Gathering Place to City Hall Plaza. Music will begin at the City

Hall Plaza at approximately 7:45 a.m. The ceremonial portion of the event

begins when the golf cart procession arrives at the plaza and is ushered

in by VFW and Marine Corps JROTC color guards and martial music.

The theme for

this year's celebration is "Pay any price; bear any burden"

­ honoring those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

"Memorial

Day gives those of us who enjoy the freedoms this nation offers an opportunity

to honor all those who have sacrificed their lives to achieve that goal,"

said Gaddo. "While the military certainly has played a key role,

there are also others who have done so in other arenas, such as the diplomatic

corps and other foreign services," added Gaddo, who is a retired

Marine.

In keeping

with the event theme, an essay contest is being held for fifth through

eighth graders living in or attending schools in Peachtree City. First

and second overall winners will receive $100 savings bonds, and third

place will get a $50 bond. Winners at other levels will receive gift certificates

and letters of congratulations signed by the mayor, the VFW commander

and the president of the Kiwanis Club.

The top three

winners will read their essays aloud at the celebration. For information

on the essay contest, phone Bernice Wassell at 770-631-2542.

Guest speaker

will be Tommy Clack, a man who has sacrificed much in service to his country.

Clack, an Army veteran, served in Vietnam as a forward observer. He was

awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart Medal, two

Air Medals and other personal awards. He was severely wounded May 29,

1969, in a firefight on the Cambodian border. He lost both legs above

the knee, all of the right arm, had internal injuries and loss of hearing.

He spent 21

months in hospitals, 18 of them at the Atlanta VA Medical Center, going

through 33 operations. He left the VA Hospital in March 1971. Since the

injury in Vietnam, he has spent two and one-half years recovering from

50 associated operations.

But he overcame

what could have been devastating self-pity and traveled America as a public

speaker for the past 29-plus years. He has spoken more than 100 times

per year, and has been in all 50 states addressing businesses, churches,

civic and professional groups and schools. He speaks on life's experiences,

Americanism, patriotism and Vietnam.

He is currently

the field office manager of the VA office in Conyers, with the responsibility

for veterans' services for three counties.

"Mr. Clack

has certainly paid a heavy personal price to preserve the freedom we,

as Americans, often take for granted," said Gaddo. "I believe

he will bring a very special perspective and a poignant message to our

celebration."

The event is

free and open to the public. "We hold the event early so that people

can celebrate the true meaning of Memorial Day and have the rest of the

day to enjoy the freedom of spending time with family and friends,"

Gaddo said.

For information

phone the Recreation Department at 770-631-2542.

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