Thursday, May 28, 2015

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY VIDEO

Subject: Memorial Day Ceremony - Carrollton Georgia - YouTube
Enjoy this 17 min. video of the Memorial Day Ceremony at the CCVMP by clicking on the Link below.

Regards,

Ronnie Pate

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=hrB_jRxyP6U

Sunday, May 24, 2015

CARROLLTON MAYOR SPEAKS AT MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY


Beginning at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, May 23, 2015, Terry Lowry and the Carroll Wind Ensemble provided patriotic music for the entire ceremony.


Barry Gardner, LTC USA, Retired, on behalf of the Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park Committee, welcomed everyone and he was the emcee for the entire ceremony.


Chaplain Will Smith prayed the opening prayer and asked God to guide and protect our Veterans and Troops.


The Carrollton High School JROTC presented the Colors.


Judy Hunnicutt sang the National Anthem and she was joined by Alvin Hunnicutt singing God Bless America.


Carrollton High School JROTC and Representatives from the Veterans Organizations performed the “Laying of the Memorial Wreath.”


The American Legion Post 143 Rifle Squad and Taps.



In the absence of Congressman Lynn Westmoreland Barry Gardner, LTC USA, Ret. presented the US Flag that was flown over the Capitol with the Certificate to the Park and expressed Westmoreland’s apology. Pictured with Gardner after the ceremony ended are Abraham Baldwin Chapter NSDAR members (Service for Veterans Chairman Violette Denney (left) and Chapter Regent Alice Robinson).  Denney said, “I feel honored to be able to touch this special Flag!”


Certificate from Congressman Lynn Westmoreland


Gardner mentioned World War I Events and recognized the Carrollton Employees that are Veterans and who have recently had their names and service records entered on plaques on the Walls of Honor.  The City of Carrollton honored these employees by buying an entire Wall of Honor to display their plaques.


Mayor Wayne Garner (left) after being introduced by Gardner presented his speech.  Garner served eight years in the Georgia National Guard.  His father landed on Utah Beach during the invasion of France and Europe during World War II.  His brother, a Vietnam War veteran, received the Silver Star. 


The Park Expansion was explained by Gardner and he said that the six Walls of Honor being added would provide space for 576 individual plaques.  These with the current 1152 already installed would make a grand total of 1,728!  He stated that this is a living memorial – meaning you can be added to the Wall of Honor while you are still living and be able to actually see your name inscribed there.


The Sons of the American Legion and American Legion Post 143 Raised the Colors.


Gardner thanked everyone who contributed support and service making the ceremony possible.  He called attention to the back of the program for a list of those giving assistance.


Carrollton Councilman Mike Patterson visits with two Marine Veterans.


Sons of the Confederacy and Sons of the American Revolution were there to represent their organizations.



Chaplain Will Smith and his wife Annie will celebrate their 70th Wedding Anniversary on Monday, May 25th, 2015 – Congratulation Will and Annie!


Carole and Daniel Jackson  sitting in the  bleachers  with Matt Brass from  Congressman Lynn  Westmoreland  staff sitting  behind them.  Jackson is very faithful to provide the sound system for the meetings at the Park making it possible  for everyone to hear  and  enjoy  the programs.


Here is the link to the video from Saturday by the film people



CONGRESSMAN LYNN WESTMORELAND PRESENTS USA FLAG FLOWN OVER THE CAPITOL TO THE VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK

On May 22, 2015, Congressman Lynn Westmoreland (right) presented a USA Flag to Barry Gardner, LTC USA, Ret. for the Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park.  This flag was requested to be flown over the U.S. Capitol on April 24, 2015 for the Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park in honor of Memorial Day.  The flag will be flown at the Park in honor of all the Veterans and Troops who serve our country honorably.  The Congressman apologized for not being at the ceremony to present the flag in person.

Friday, May 15, 2015

CCVMP CONSTRUCTION UPDATE MAY 15, 2015







Information from President Don Levans
 

Walls and walkways are completed and the bell tower is in the center of the new wall "cluster".  The three soldiers are visible from the new entrance and Newnan Road and the fire pit is in its new position in the concrete walkway.
 
The light poles are waiting for the light fixtures to arrive at EMC. The ones that they had in stock were not compatible with the old lights so we decided to have them order the same fixture.  Because of this delay the Park will look much like it does now on May 23 for the Memorial Day service
 
Ronnie Pate was able to secure a donation of sod from North Georgia Sod Farms for over $3,000 worth of sod - AND the County has agreed to prepare the ground and lay the sod when we are ready. Installation will have to wait until we finish the light pole installation.
 
Sammy is having trouble locating bricks that are compatible with others in the Park. This is another reason for having to keep people out of the new section.
 
This morning's Times-Georgian had a good article about Memorial Day that included comments about the expansion and the fact that Southwire donated $7,500.  This is wonderful - BUT we need $30,000 MORE to do the things that we have on our list.
 
Dale Robinson, Barry Gardner and I will be on Community Voice on WLBB 1330 on your dial next Tuesday at 08:30 talking about the Park and the Memorial Day event.


Note from Violette Denney:  I made pictures today from the parking lot and from the entrance from the Health Center's parking lot.

THANK YOU SOUTHWIRE



(Violette, the Southwire picture did not make it in Winston's piece this morning.  Please consider getting it into our Blog.)
 
SOUTHWIRE DONATES $7,500 FOR OUR EXPANSION

NORTH GEORGIA TURF SOD FARMS DONATES SOD

Even with the rains this spring, the progress of our expansion is progressing very well.  Primary to the progress is the Fundraising Committee activities! They planned and administered a wonderful USO style event at AMVETS that produced over $5,300 and their contacts have produced individual business gifts.


We needed $21,926 to pay for the work completed thus far and we had received contributions of $14,500. Bill Hearnburg (Fundraising Committee) met with Southwire and on Wednesday Gary Leftwich delivered us a check for $7,500. This brought our donations thus far to $22,000. THANK YOU SOUTHWIRE!!! 
 
On Thursday, Director Ronnie Pate met with North Georgia Turf Farms about getting 4,300 square feet of sod to cover the disturbed soil of the construction. They are DONATING over $3,000 worth of sod.  THANK YOU NORTH GEORGIA TURF


We now will seek Inmate labor for the preparation of the soil and laying of the sod. THANK YOU CARROLL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS


CCVMP works because of the individual member involvement!!!
 
Now - our remaining need to complete is about $30,000.  We need our members to be looking for businesses, clubs, etc. that might have an interest in showing honor to our Veterans.  Then refer your suggestions to Charles Griffin (Fundraising Committee) 770-855-0291 so that we can contact them to see if we can meet them, give a presentation to their group or just explain who we are and what we are doing. 

Friday, May 8, 2015

TIME TO MARK YOUR CALENDAR - MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM AT THE CARROLL COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK


(THIS WAS A FEW YEARS BACK - BUT A GREAT PICTURE OF 
PETE ROWE AND BILL HEAD)

THIS IS THE PROGRAM FOR MAY 23RD, 2015 AND IT WILL INCLUDE A "LAYING OF THE WREATH" BY THE CARROLLTON HIGH SCHOOL J.R.O.T.C.



Wednesday, May 6, 2015

WORK AT THE PARK CONTINUES


The Bell Tower has been installed in its new location near the new Walls of Honor.  Pictured above you can see where the "Fire Pit" will be re-constructed in the foreground.  The first row of bricks have already been implanted into the concrete.