Pucciarelli

was on the scene minutes after the blast, helping to bring out the dead

and wounded. Under sniper fire, he and other service brothers fought back

the anger and frustration as they risked their own lives to go back into

the still smoldering building. Inside the remains of the building, smoldering

fires cooked off ammunition, sending M-16 rounds zinging randomly.

Father Pooch,

as his flock affectionately called him, then began to give last rites

to those who did not make it, and emotional support to those injured and

to those who continue the rescue and recovery effort. He would continue

this pace, spending himself emotionally in order to bolster the spirits

of those left to carry on.

Last Sept.

11, as he watched on TV the scenes at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon,

he reflexively drew parallels to Beirut.

"Serving

both in Beirut and Desert Shield/Storm, I gave witness ... to the destructive

and vindictive motives of those who hate America and what we stand for,"

he wrote in a letter accepting this speaking engagement. "Now it

is time to deal with these issues head on, to face these people and deal

with them accordingly. It has been long overdue!"

He also noted

that since Sept. 11, "grieving families and sensitized citizens of

every state in the union have merged together to mourn the loss of so

many. Together, they have ignited a new national spirit, resulting in

a unique resolution to free evil from all peoples in all nations of the

world."

Pucciarelli

is now the chaplain at the Naval Security Group at Fort Meade in Maryland.

Over his 30-year career he has served in many ports worldwide. He spent

a great deal of time with Marine Corps field units. He has distinguished

himself many times over, earning high decorations including the Legion

of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and Combat

Action Ribbon.

He characterized

his acceptance as guest speaker here as an honor.

"Your

city's Memorial Day celebration this year will be one timely and most

appropriate. To remember those who have fallen for the sake of this nation's

well being has been, and always will be, entrusted to us. We will not,

nor never, fail them."

The public

is invited to the Memorial Day Celebration May 27 beginning at 7:45 a.m.

at the VFW Memorial at City Hall Plaza in Peachtree City. A golf cart

procession starting at the Gathering Place and going around Lake Peachtree

to the Plaza will also be open to the public to join.

Coffee and

donuts will be served at the Gathering Place at 7 a.m. and the procession

will begin promptly at 7:30. Participants are encouraged to decorate their

carts in a patriotic motif.

This year's

celebration will include music by the Air National Guard Band of the South,

a military band that plays concerts worldwide. They will perform all ceremonial

music, and a concert immediately following the ceremony at approximately

9 a.m.

There will

be honors to the flag, a reading of the top winner in the student essay

contest, and other pageantry. There will also be a special surprise unveiled

at the ceremony.

For more information

on the event, contact the Recreation Department at 770-631-2542.