May 29, 2021
Jason Haynes
Today, Saturday May 29th the city of Piedmont will be hosting its annual Memorial Day event. Presented by Rick Freeman and the Piedmont Veterans Association along with the Piedmont Arts and Entertainment Committee. This year’s memorial and celebration will be held at two locations beginning at 10:00 am at Veterans Park. There will be an introduction by Mayor Baker, followed by two guest speakers. The flag presentation and farewell ceremony will be done by Piedmont Color Guard and Young Marines. At the conclusion of the memorial, around 11:00 am, the event will move to the downtown area close to the gazebo.
At 12:00 pm the National Anthem will be performed by the amazing Denise Campbell and a greeting from our beloved Mayor Bill Baker. Jeff Rogers from Calhoun, Ga will take the stage at 12:30 pm to kick off the entertainment portion of the day. Jeff is a southern gentleman and his passion and soul are in his music. Next on stage at 2:00 pm will be the bluesy sounds of Jones & the Unknowns. Both bands were hand chosen by the Piedmont Arts and Entertainment Committee to fit both the groove as a community and the memorial services. They are hoping to plan a huge event for Independence Day as well.
Food and beverages will be available at local vendors such as Elevated Grounds and Shell’s Downtown. There will also be various art and craft vendors on display.
This is the first joint effort between the city’s two organizations to bring this celebration to our Downtown area. The presenters all seemed to agree on one common goal which is to showcase the city through the celebration and memorial of small town American values and traditions paid for by the sacrifice and service of fallen heroes. Organizers encourage the citizens of Piedmont and surrounding communities to come out and support the town, and more importantly, those who have given their all, their very lives, for our freedom and security.
This Memorial Day the City of Piedmont will honor the community and the country’s fallen dead by celebrating Life and freedom to do so because of these brave and honorable souls.
As you celebrate this holiday remember the words of our country’s 16th President who’s words still move many as he so eloquently said about our fallen soldiers “But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
For more information please contact the organizers. For a full list of local events click here.
