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Published Tuesday, September 09, 2008 in Local

Peachtree City holds pre-Patriot Day events

Although it rained Saturday afternoon, Peachtree City's Patriot Day celebration went without a hitch under clear skies and cool temperatures the morning of Sept. 6.

The "America Supports You" Freedom Walk, held in conjunction with Patriot Day, had twice as many walkers as the inaugural walk last year. Nearly 150 walkers led by a Peachtree City Police escort included young children in strollers, WWII veterans and all ages in between.

Walk organizer Caitlin Dillon, Sandy Creek High School senior, led the parade for a second year in a row. Golf carts donated by Bulldog Supply accompanied the walk to assist with rides if needed and to shuttle people back to their vehicles after the event.

The Dixie Wing of the Commemorative Air Force was host for the event in their hangar at Falcon Field. With vintage WWII aircraft on display and a CAF "PX" opened for business, and a huge flag draped from a PTC fire department ladder truck, the setting was uniquely patriotic for the 400 or so in attendance.

Cadets of the PTC Falcon Field Civil Air Patrol Squadron 116 performed all honors to the flag with scouts from Troop 75 leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

Three music groups performed, including Bennett's Mill Middle School band as well as Music Alive! and Peachtree Wind Ensemble. A rifle detail from the Marquis de Lafayette Chapter of the Georgia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution fired volleys from their black powder muskets that brought the crowd to life.

Rae Presley-King, Bennett's Mill principal and guest speaker for the event, delivered unique and insightful remarks.

"You can rest assured that your children are growing up in this community knowing what Patriotism means and learning how to be a Patriot," she told the crowd that included many parents of the Bennett's Mill band.

She recounted how she had come by her spirit of Patriotism and love for education. Her father spent 27 years in the Army and her mother was a career educator. Presley-King served eight years as an Army helicopter pilot before going into teaching.

A live-flower wreath donated by A Blue Lady Florist was presented by Presley-King and Caitlin Dillon in honor of those killed on Sept. 11, 2001 and since then in the Global War on Terror.

"Our community should be proud that we have so many people willing to give their time so this event can be available for citizens to demonstrate their love and devotion to the ideals upon which America is founded," said event coordinator Randy Gaddo, a retired Marine. "My wish for next year is that even more people from the community come out to spend a couple hours focused on Patriotism."