Published Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Peachtree City plans Patriot Day, Freedom Walk

The 2008 Peachtree City Patriot Day celebration will bring together many divergent groups to remember the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, and to rejuvenate the spirit of American Patriotism that immediately followed the terrorist attacks.

"We have pulled together a dynamic group of partners who will make this a very meaningful event," said Randy Gaddo, a retired Marine and director of the city's Leisure Services Division, who is the event coordinator.

To start the day off, the Second Annual Freedom Walk will step off with a Peachtree City Police escort at 9 a.m. from the intersection of TDK Boulevard and Dividend Drive on the one mile trek to Falcon Field and the headquarters of the Commemorative Air Force, which is holding an open house.

Organizer Caitlin Dillon, a senior at Sandy Creek High School, has been working through the summer to generate interest and get assistance for the event.

"We want people to join us and share the emotion that comes when all these different people walk together with a common purpose, to celebrate the freedom we enjoy in this country and recognize that we must be prepared to defend it when it's threatened," said Dillon, who gets help and support from her church, Peachtree City Christian Church.

The Freedom Walk was started in 2005 by Pentagon employees to honor those killed on 9/11. It has grown quickly to include walks in every state and overseas. Last year's Peachtree City walk had about 150 people, and more are anticipated this year.

This year, walkers are expected from schools, churches and the general public, as well as organizations such as Honor Flight Fayette, which sends WWII veterans to the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. Bulldog Supply on Huddleston Road in Peachtree City has donated use of several golf carts to assist those who may have trouble walking and to shuttle people to and from parking.

Three music groups will provide patriotic entertainment. The Bennett's Mill Middle School band, under direction of Ricky Williams, will play the National Anthem and other selections. Music Alive! and Peachtree Wind Ensemble, two local favorites, will each perform selections throughout the program, as well.

The Falcon Field Airport management team is providing full support to hold the event there, and the Dixie Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is opening the group's spacious and history-filled hangar.

The CAF is planning an open house in conjunction with Patriot Day and will have all its vintage aircraft and equipment on display. The color guard of the Peachtree City Falcon Field Civil Air Patrol Composite Squadron-116 will escort the Freedom Walkers into the CAF area and will perform all honors to the flag. The Marquis de Lafayette Chapter of the Georgia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution rifle detail will also perform crowd-awakening volleys from their black powder muskets.

The guest speaker is Bennett's Mill Middle School Principal Rae Presley-King, who was formerly an Army helicopter pilot for eight years before transitioning into her teaching career. Presley-King and Dillon will be presenting a memorial wreath that is being donated by Kim Westwood, owner of A Blue Lady Florist.