Concert attendees

are encouraged to bring their own blankets and chairs. Concessions will

be provided by Chick-fil-A.

"On the

Wings of Freedom: an American Portrait" is a production that focuses

on the historic and regional fibers that bind our great nation. Underlying

every musical moment is a spirit of patriotism and pride. Utilizing both

vocal and instrumental settings, this two-hour tribute is a moving homage

to America. A sample of the selections that will be performed include

"You're a Grand Old Flag," "God Bless America," "The

Armed Forces Tribute," "God Bless the USA" and many others.

Frampton, a

concert pianist, has toured worldwide for almost 30 years performing nearly

3,000 concerts in all 50 states, Canada, Europe and Asia. He has also

been a soloist pianist with many of the major orchestras, including Atlanta,

Cincinnati, Oakland and the Boston Pops. He has released 20 albums during

his career.

Part of the

instrumental ensemble will include vocalists Sam Hagan and Kit Prothero.

Both are extremely talented performers. Hagan has become on e of the most

beloved tenors of his generation. His background includes studies with

the Metropolitan Opera and engagements with the orchestras of Atlanta,

Cleveland and Cincinnati. Kit's academic training includes degrees from

Oberlin conservatory and advanced training in Europe and she is equally

at home with pop and classics.

Peachtree City's

Memorial Day activities will start at 7 a.m. Monday starting with the

golf cart procession from The Gathering Place to City Hall Plaza.

"I remember

the first time I saw it," said Randy Gaddo, Memorial Day coordinator

and a retired Marine. He recalls the sight as the train of golf carts

came across the highway 54 golf cart bridge over Lake Peachtree on Memorial

Day at about 7:30 a.m. in 1999. It was slightly foggy that day, so a light

misty vapor was rising up off the lake.

"The sun

was coming up behind them, and they were all decorated in red, white and

blue, and it was just the most unusual, dramatic, mobile expression of

patriotism I had ever witnessed," he said. After coffee and donuts

in the Gathering Place, more than 200 people in their golf carts start

their 2-mile ride around Lake Peachtree.

The public

is invited to join the golf cart procession. Just show up in your golf

cart at 7 a.m. Monday at the Gathering Place. Or, you can join the procession

as it makes its way around the lake. Organizers ask that you decorate

your cart patriotically.

The formal

portion of the Memorial Day ceremony starts at 8 a.m. This year Music

Alive and the Community Band will both be on hand to entertain and perform

ceremony music. This year's program will feature a youth segment, with

a local Junior ROTC unit performing, and the winner of the essay contest

reading her winning essay. A group of local young men and women will perform

a drill routine that won them state recognition.

Cadets of the

Marine Corps Junior ROTC unit at East Coweta High School will perform

during a segment of the program dedicated to youth participants.

"It is

important that we involve young men and women in the program," said

Gaddo, coordinator of the Memorial Day ceremony since its inception five

years ago.

"It's

important that they know the sacrifices people have made in the name of

their freedom, and that they be prepared to make the same sacrifices if

their nation calls upon them to do so. These are dedicated young men and

women who have worked hard on their drill and deserve to show it off."

The JROTC unit

has developed a very challenging drill routine using service rifles. The

precision drill is done silently, with no verbal commands. They recently

competed in the North Georgia College drill meet and placed first in basic

drill and inspection and second in exhibition drill.

"They

have worked hard for months on this routine, and they're very excited

about performing in Peachtree City on Memorial Day," said retired

Marine Colonel David Ingram, commander of the JROTC program at East Coweta

High School. The unit will also provide a color guard to lead the golf

cart procession into City Hall plaza, perform the flag raising duties

and act as side guards for presentation of the VFW memorial wreath.

The guest speaker

is retired Army Major General Gordon J. Duquemin, currently the vice chairman

of the USO Council of Georgia. Duquemin commanded troops in the Korean

Conflict from 1950-51, and again for 32 months during the Vietnam War.

But his service continued even after retiring from the Army in 1981. The

general is now the vice chairman of the USO Council of Georgia Inc., at

a time in our nation's history when the USO is especially important. The

USO here was very busy seeing troops off to Iraq, and now welcoming them

back.

"I am

so proud of what our young men and women did in Iraq," he said. "They

were magnificent, real professionals. And keep in mind this is an all-volunteer

military force."

He is quick

to add that the USO couldn't have helped so many service members and their

families without assistance.

"The public

has been extremely generous and helpful," he said. "We couldn't

have done it without all the community involvement. They gave food, money

and, probably most important, phone cards. That call home is extremely

important."

The Milwaukee,

Wisconsin native knows first hand what troops in combat need. He has commanded

a platoon, company, battalion and brigade in combat. During his 34-year

Army career he also commanded the 1st Infantry Division, the crack infantry

outfit known as "The Big Red One."

He received

his bachelor's in military science from the United States Military Academy,

West Point, New York, in 1947. His career has also sent him to the Naval

War College, and he earned his master's degree in international relations.

He was deputy chief of staff for operations U.S. Army Forces Europe and

for Forces Command headquarters at Fort McPherson here. He has lived in

or visited more than 35 different countries.

Among the many

personal and unit medals and awards the general received throughout his

career is the Distinguished Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster signifying

a second award. He also earned three Silver Stars, four Legions of Merit

and four bronze stars with the combat "V." He wears a Purple

Heart, signifying an injury in combat, and has two awards of the Army's

coveted Combat Infantryman's Badge.

The general

is no stranger to duty in the Middle East either. After he retired from

the Army, he spent three years in Saudi Arabia training the Saudi Arabian

National Guard, the forces that protect the royal family and provide internal

security for Saudi Arabia.

From 1984 to

2001 he was CEO of Lenbrook Square in north Atlanta. Lenbrook Square was

the first nationally accredited continuing care retirement community in

Georgia. It is known for providing first-class comfort and peace of mind

through its service-oriented philosophy.

But his involvement

with the USO reaches far back into his past.

"I have

been actively involved in the USO since I entered the military, then as

a user of the services," the general comments, adding that he was

especially active with the Atlanta USO during two separate tours here,

one at Fort McPherson and one at Fort Gillam. He became the vice chairman

of Georgia's USO five years ago.

For more information

about Peachtree City's Memorial Day activities, contact the Peachtree

City Recreation Department at 770-631-2542. For further information about

the Memorial Day Ceremony, please contact Fayetteville Main Street Dept.

at 770-461-6029.