MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM AT THE PARK

On Saturday, May 24, 2014, the Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park Association hosted for the entire area a Memorial Service at the Veterans Park.

 

Some of the participants in the program are pictured above from the left: Lt. Col. Margaret Miller Johnson USMC, C. C. Commission Chairman Marty Smith, CCVMP President Don Levans, and Program Chairman Ronnie Pate.

 

Terry Lowry and the Carroll Symphony Wind Ensemble presented patriotic music before and during the program.

 

The American Legion Rifle Team is ready to perform the rifle salute to those being honored.

 

President Don Levans welcomed everyone!

 

Veterans Park Chaplain Will Smith led the invocation.

 

 

The American Legion Post 143 Color Guard presented the Colors.

George and Kaleb Chambers led the Pledge of Allegiance.  George and Kaleb 
 belong to the “Sons of the American Legion, SAL.”

 

Bag Piper Jack Rhodes played Amazing Grace.

Honoring the Carroll County troops Killed-In-Action by placing the Memorial Wreath were members of several military organizations.

 

The wreath was place at the base of the USA flag which is located in the center of the Walls of Honor.

 

Angie Hawkesworth sang the National Anthem and God Bless America.

Ronnie Pate rang the bell after Lt. Col. Johnson read the names of five soldiers Killed-in-Action during 2005 – 2007 and recognized their families.

Pattie Saylor stands as they read the name of her son, Sergeant Paul A. Saylor.

 

 

The ceremony ended with Taps by Ray Tanner, Jr., from Bugles Across America.

The West Georgia Young Marines assisted with the parking and program distribution.  Daniel Jackson from the Chamber of Commerce provided the Sound System.

 

 

FIRST FLAG RETIREMENT AT THE CCVMP ON "NORRIS GARRETT DAY"

 

Chaplain Will Smith holds the distressed flag selected for the ceremonial burning with Wayne Driver on the right, who is watching over the fire pit.

West Georgia Young Marines are shown with some of the flags to be retired.

 

Chaplain Will Smith (left) waiting to be introduced by Park President Don Levans.

 

Carroll County Chairman of the Commissioners, Marty Smith, reads a proclamation declaring the day as "Norris Garrett Day" with a very surprised Past President Norris Garrett.  Garrett retired on December 31, 2013 after serving the Park since it very beginning as credentials chairman and 11 years as president.

The framed proclamation is being shared by Norris Garrett and Chairman Marty Smith.

 

 

 American Legion Chaplain Larry D. Boswell presided during the program.

 

 The distress flag it raised and lowered the last time before being retired.

 

 Wayne Driver played the bugle during the flag ceremony.

 

 This USA Flag is high over the park the for the last time.

 

 The distressed flag is removed from the flag pole.

 

 The flag is then delivered to the area for the separation of the stripes and the field of stars. 

The flag is prepared for the ceremony.

 

 Sam Pyle is using the scissors to separate the stripes and one by one they are delivered by Chaplain Will Smith to the Wayne Driver, who will be placing them in the fire pit.

 

 Chaplain Smith carefully delivers one piece at a time to Driver who will place each part in the fire pit for proper retirement.

 

After all the stripes are removed the entire field of blue with all the stars is delivered last.  The stars are never divided.

 

Chaplain Smith presents the Blue Field of Stars to Driver to be burned last.

 

Wayne Driver watches respectfully as the Field of Stars is consumed by the fire.

 

As the ceremony ends a new flag is raised over the Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park while all attendees stand at attention and pictured are some of the young Marines saluting.

 

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

The monthly Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park Assoc. membership meeting for May has been cancelled. 

Our next memembership meeting will be held
in June on  the fourth Monday as usual.
               Please mark you calendar -               
June 23, 2014 6 p.m. at the
Veterans' Center
on Stripling Chapel road.

TWO MAJOR EVENTS AT THE CCVMP DURING MAY 2014

A message from the President:

Now is the time for all our members to make every effort to be present to support the CCVMP with your attendance!

On Saturday May 17, our Events and Special Projects Committees (in cooperation with Post 143 Legion Family and West GA Young Marines) will be presenting a distressed Flag recovery and Flag Retirement program.

People from the community are invited to drop off old flags beginning at 10:00 a.m. and then at 3:00 p.m. a formal and professional Flag Retirement program will be administered by the sponsoring organizations.

On Saturday May 24, our Events Committee is welcoming the entire community to join CCVMP in our annual Memorial Day Service at 10:00 a.m.  This year, the theme for the service is “Honoring Carroll County Service Members Killed-In-Action.”  Lt Col. Margaret Miller Johnson will lead the honoring process as our newly reconstructed Park Bell is tolled. Commission Chairman Marty Smith will deliver the Memorial Day Speech.

Public Relations Chair, Dale Robertson and I will be guests on WLBB Radio at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday May 6 discussing the two events - The Times-Georgian will also support the events. (CCVMP will be run advertising during the week)

This is a great time to show support for your CCVMP, your working Committees, your Country and Your Flag!

Come early to get a good folding chair seat.

Donald Levans, President CCVMP - 678-246-8446