Governor Perdue Announces Plans for State Memorial Day Ceremony

Lt. General (Ret.) Russel Honoré to Keynote; Tribute to Honor Fallen Service Members

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue today announced plans for a state Memorial Day Ceremony to take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 22, 2008, at Mount Paran Church of God in Atlanta. 

“Georgia’s courageous and dedicated servicemen and women continue to answer the call to defend America’s freedom around the globe,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “This ceremony will pay tribute to our fallen soldiers, Marines, sailors, and airmen, those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of others. I hope that every Georgian will join with us in honoring these brave men and women.”

The ceremony will include remarks by Governor Perdue and a keynote address by Lt. General Russel Honoré, United States Army (Ret.). General Honoré retired in January after nearly 37 years of service in the military, most recently as Commanding General of U.S. First Army, headquartered at Fort Gillem, Georgia. He is known for his outstanding leadership and coordination as commander of Joint Task Force Katrina after the 2005 hurricane.

The program will also include a solemn tribute to honor the Georgia servicemen and women who have fallen in Afghanistan and Iraq during operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

The public is invited to attend the ceremony. Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) will stream video of the ceremony on its website at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 22, 2008. GPB will also broadcast the ceremony on television at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 25, 2008.

For more information on Memorial Day observances across the nation, visit the VA's Memorial Day page.