Officials organizing the ceremony hope that residents honor those still serving our country by attending Friday’s event held at the Cedartown Veterans Memorial Park.
“We’re hoping to have a big crowd come out to honor all the veterans of all the wars,” said Marvin Hampton, Veterans Park Committee chairman. “And if it’s a pretty day out, it will help.”
The ceremony organized by the Veterans Park Committee, the American Legion, and local military personnel – both past and present - will begin promptly at 11 a.m.
There are two featured speakers for this year’s Veterans Day Ceremony, Hampton explained.
Life-long Polk County resident, Vietnam War veteran and Rome Plow employee Steve Arrington will address the crowd, along with Linda Liles. Liles will be speaking on behalf of Congressman Phil Gingrey’s office.
After the featured speakers, the National Anthem will be played and the flag will be lowered to half-staff in honor of fallen veterans.
A 21-gun salute and the playing of taps will follow.
The ceremony will conclude with a wreath laying ceremony. The American Legion Auxiliary will lay a wreath as a reminder of the soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen who died in combat.
Local residents are invited to participate in the wreath laying service as well, Hampton said. “Arrive before 11 o’clock and bring a wreath for the one you intend to honor.”
After the wreath-laying ceremony, officials encourage residents to visit the many monuments and markers that the park features.
These include hundreds of plaques lining the walkways of the park, identifying veterans from Polk County along with their rank, branch of service, and years of service.
The park, located on East Avenue, also features a monument to all military veterans from Polk County killed in combat since World War I, a monument for all Polk County POWs (prisoners of war) and MIAs (missing in action), and a monument to Ray McKibben, who posthumously received the nation’s highest military award, the Congressional Medal of Honor.
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