The Smyrna Veterans Committee, the City of Smyrna, the Veterans Memorial Association of Smyrna, American Legion Post 160, and the Smyrna Rotary will kick-off the Memorial Day Ceremony at 9:30 am on Monday, May 25, at the 20th Century Veterans Memorial at 2800 King St., between Smyrna City Hall and the Library. The Ceremony is free and open to the Public. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at the Smyrna Community Center.
“We will honor fallen veterans and help support local veterans and their families,” said Linda Hedrick of the Smyrna Veterans Committee.
Guest speakers will be Sergeant Grant McCarry, who was deployed five times to Iraq and Afghanistan, and LTC (Ret) Keith Antonia, who was inducted in 2009 to the Ranger Hall of Fame.
The 116th Army Band, Georgia National Guard, will provide music throughout the ceremony.
The 94th Air Lift Command Honor Guard will present the Colors, render Honors and play Taps.
There will be static displays of equipment and vintage vehicles to tour behind the Veterans Memorial around the fountain at the Community Center.
There will be six wreaths laid for the fallen:
1st Wreath is for WWI and will be laid by the Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 160
2nd Wreath is for WWII and will be laid by the Veterans Memorial Association of Smyrna
3rd Wreath is for Korean War and will be laid by the American Legion, Post 160
4th Wreath is for Vietnam War and will be laid by the Cobb County Chapter of the Gold Star Mothers
5th Wreath is for the Persian Gulf War and will be laid by American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 160
6th Wreath is for the War on Terrorism and will be laid by the City of Smyrna.
You can show your support for local veterans and their families by participating in the Distribution of Poppies organized by Smyrna’s American Legion Auxiliary Unit 160 over the Memorial Day Weekend. Saturday and Sunday the Auxiliarry will be at Kroger Stores on South Cobb and Atlanta Roads and the Wal-Mart on the East West Connector from 10 – 2. Memorial Day, Monday, they will be at the Veterans Memorial from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Following the ceremony, there will be a Barbecue Cookout open to the public held at American Legion Post 160 at 160 Legion Drive starting at 12 noon. There will be pulled pork plates with two sides ($8), pulled pork sandwiches with chips and applesauce ($7) to enjoy there, and Smoked Pork Butts ($25) to bring home. Call the Legion to pre-order the pork butts (770-436-2501).
From the May 2015 issue of The Bright Side, Cobb County Georgia’s Newspaper covering Smyrna, Vinings, Mableton and Austell, GA.
