MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY TO HONOR CARROLL COUNTY’S FALLEN VETERANS

The Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park Association and American Legion Post 143 will conduct a Memorial Day ceremony Saturday to honor veterans of all wars who gave their lives in service to our nation.

The ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Park on Newnan Road in Carrollton will begin at 11 a.m.

The theme of the ceremony will be the 75^th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, known as VE Day.  University of West Georgia history professor Dr. Steve Goodson will be the featured speaker.

Following VE Day many soldiers and airmen who fought in Europe were sent east to fight against the Japanese who had not yet surrendered.  That surrender came on August 14, 1945, after atomic bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  On Aug. 15, 1945, the Japanese accepted the Allies’ terms for surrender and World War II was finally over.

Eighty-five service members from Carroll County were killed during WWII.

Proper social distancing will be in effect for the ceremony –there will be no bleacher seating.  In order to accomplish the required social distancing, the parking lot in front of the park area will be used for seating.  Guests will need to provide their own seating or remain standing for the program.

Terry Lowry and the Carroll County Wind Ensemble will provide music prior to and during the program.  Pre-program music is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m.

American Legion Post 143 will provide the color guard and rifle-firing team.  The laying of a wreath, rifle volleys and playing of taps will honor and remember the 332 service members from Carroll County killed in all wars dating back to the Civil War.  The 85 Carroll County veterans killed during World War II will be specifically honored during the wreath-laying ceremony conducted by area veterans organizations.

The program is expected to conclude about noon.  The Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park is adjacent to the Carroll County sheriff’s Office and across the road from the West Georgia Techinical College.

(copied from the Times-Georgian, May 19, 2020)