It is vital

that American citizens support their military personnel, said Tommy Clack,

keynote speaker at Peachtree City's third annual Memorial Day celebration

Monday.

"When

my Dad, who was wounded in World War II, took me to the Atlanta airport

prior to my leaving for Viet Nam, I was spit upon," Clack told the

crowd of about 500 who turned out in rainy weather to honor Americans

who have died in military service. "When I returned in this wheelchair,

I was still spit upon," added Clack.

"The United

States military is currently serving, in harm's way, in 137 places around

the world. We must support these men and women, whether we agree with

the particular conflict they are serving in or not," he said.

Currently serving

as field office manager for the Veterans Administration in Conyers, Clack

paid a heavy personal price to preserve the freedom that Americans often

take for granted.

He was severely

wounded May 29, 1969, as a forward observer at the front lines in Cambodia

calling in air and artillery strikes on enemy positions. He lost both

legs above the knee, all of his right arm and had internal injuries and

loss of hearing. He spent the next several years in hospitals getting

endless operations.

"He paid

a heavy toll for us," said the Rev. David Epps, a police chaplain

and a Marine veteran who served as master of ceremonies for Monday's event,

"but he overcame the grief of his ordeal and turned his energies

to becoming an advocate for veterans."

Clack began

his speech by honoring the wives and children who are left behind to serve

at the home front during times of conflict.

"I am

an eighth-generation military man in my family," Clack said. "Our

first generation in this land came from England and was known as 'red

coats.' By the second generation, however, we got on the right side and

have since served in the United States military.

"My son,

Adam, 15, has recently decided to become the ninth generation to serve,

and I look forward to that day.

"Servicemen

not only serve to protect their country but also to protect the buddies

beside them," Clack said. "I am just grateful that my name does

not appear on the Viet Nam Memorial wall, in section 24 west, line 13,

where the names of many of my buddies are recorded."

Epps, in introducing

the program, quoted from the inaugural speech of President John F. Kennedy:

"Pay any price, bear any burden. The origins of what used to be called

Decoration Day are said to go all the way