May is a time for honoring those who serve in our armed forces with Armed Forces Day, and for remembering those who sacrificed their lives while in service with Memorial Day. It is a time to pause in what you are doing and think about all you have because of the courage and patriotism of others who fought for the privileges we have in the Unites States.
Armed Forces Day is Saturday, May 20, 2017. Always on the third Saturday in May, it is a day to pay tribute to the men and women who serve in the U.S. armed forces. The single holiday was created in 1949 after the branches of the Armed Forces were unified under the Department of Defense.
While Armed Forces Day honors those who have served, Memorial Day is a special day of remembrance for those who have died while serving in our country’s armed forces. Originally called Decorations Day, it was designated in 1868 to remember those who died in the Civil War and whose bodies were in almost every city, village, and churchyard across the country. Today, in addition to the Civil War, there are other wars that our soldiers have fought and died that we remember: World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and the Global War on Terrorism.
The Walk of Heroes Veterans Memorial Park in Conyers is one of our local memorials that commemorate the sacrifices made by veterans on the battlefields during and since the 20th century. Plan to make a visit to remember and honor. Every year, the Walk of Heroes in Conyers presents a special ceremony on Memorial Day.
The Walk of Heroes Annual Memorial Day Ceremony will be held on May 29, 2017. The Memorial Day program will start at 11:00am with Senator Tonya Anderson as the Keynote speaker. Activities will continue through the day with a patriotic concert, and special program and reception for Georgia’s Vietnam Veterans.
A great way to pay tribute to someone in the military for Armed Forces Day or memorialize one who has died in service is to purchase a brick paver at the Walk of Heroes Memorial Park. The brick can honor or memorialize the service of a family member, friend, coworker, or someone else.
You can also visit the Walk of Heroes during regular park hours from 7am to 9 pm, except on Wednesday when they are closed. Current points of interest include the fountain and replica of the Veteran’s War Memorial.
Walk of Heroes is located at 3001 Black Shoals Rd, Conyers, GA 30012. For more information, visit www.walkofheroes.org/.
