A retired Army Lieutenant Colonel will be singing the national anthem prior to the start of the 2007 Tour de Georgia.

Newnan resident Calvin W. Cheatham, Jr. previously commanded the 703rd Maintenance battalion of the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany, but lately he has been commanding the stage. He placed fourth in the Fayetteville Senior Idol competition, and has performed a number of concerts at Fayette and Coweta retirement and senior centers, the Fayetteville Senior Citizen Support Volunteers Awards Celebration, the 2006 Fayette County Chamber of Commerce Awards Luncheon and has sung with “Those Guys” at City Cafe in Fayetteville.

Cheatham attends the First Baptist Church of Peachtree City and is a soloist, choir member, praise group member and is a servant-deacon at the church.