Memorial Day commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. It is a holiday many of us spend doing family gatherings, backyard BBQs, or enjoying a nice evening out with friends and family. When you’re out at a local event or home with family, we hope you take the time to honor those who died to give you those freedoms. Here are some local events going on, in, or near East Cobb County (all events are free unless otherwise noted):
Friday, May 26
Life of the Common Solider –11:30am- 12pm
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park Visitor’s Center
900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive, Kennesaw 30152
Life for the common infantry soldier during the Atlanta Campaign was less than ideal. Come out and enjoy an interactive ranger presentation that will utilize various reproduced props and personal items to illustrate how soldiers lived and fought on the campaign trail in 1864.
Museum Tour – 1pm
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park Visitor’s Center
900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive, Kennesaw 30152
Join a ranger on a guided walk in the park’s museum to learn more about the Battle of Kennesaw and about the prominent figures during the time. Learn, too, about some of the artifacts and the preservation of them in this informative talk.
Georgia’s Historic Women – 2pm- 3pm
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park visitor’s center
900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive, Kennesaw 30152
Focusing on women who were not afraid of bending the rules, author Sara Martin will highlight fifteen 19th Century Georgia women who made outstanding achievements within American history.
Saturday, May 27
Veterans Memorial 5K – 7:30am
Marietta Square
1 Cherokee Street, Marietta 30060
Presented by American Legion Post 29. All proceeds support the charities of the American Legion to benefit Georgia military members, veterans, and their families. Start times: 5K – 7:30am; 1K walk/run – 8:30am; Tot Trot (ages 5 and under) – 8:45am. 5K/1K: $30. Phantom Runner: $25. Rain or shine, and will start and finish at the Marietta Square. More info: www.AmericanLegion5k.org.
Military Appreciation Ceremony – 10:30am
Marietta Square
1 Cherokee Street, Marietta 30060
Marietta Mayor Steve Tumlin will declare “American Legion Day”.
Agenda:
| 10:30am-10:40am | Presentation of the Colors, Announcements |
| 10:40am-10:55am | Guest Speakers |
| 10:55am-11:10am | POW/MIA Ceremony |
| 11:10am-12:30pm | Georgia Symphony Orchestra will play a selection of music |
| 12:30pm | Flag Retirement |
Stop by the American Legion table and find out if you qualify to join the American Legion, Sons of the American Legion, or the American Legion Auxiliary. In addition, members of the Recruiting and Retention team of the Georgia National Guard will be attending.
Marietta National Cemetery tour with historian Brad Quinlin – 6pm
Meet in Bank of North Georgia parking lot
269 Roswell Street, Marietta 30060
Acworth Memorial Day Ceremony – 10am
Veterans Memorial at Patriots Point
4425 Beach St NW, Acworth 30101
Sunday, May 28
Artillery, Infantry and Civilian Demonstration – 11am, 12 pm, 2pm and 3pm
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park Visitor’s Center
900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive, Kennesaw 30152
Artillerists explain the steps of firing a cannon by detailing the role of each person working the cannon. Afterward, the process is performed in real time and the cannon is fired. Please note that cannon firings are very loud, especially to those with hearing sensitivity (i.e., dogs, children, etc.)
Chatham Hill Tour with Historian Brad Quinlin – 3pm
Marietta National Cemetery Tour with Historian Brad Quinlin – 6pm
Meet in Bank of North Georgia parking lot
269 Roswell Street, Marietta 30060
Monday, May 29
Memorial Day 5K/10K – 6.30am
LA Fitness
2550 Sandy Plains Rd, Marietta 30062
A fundraiser for K9s For Warriors, which is dedicated to providing service canines to our warriors suffering from post-traumatic stress disability, traumatic brain injury, and/or military sexual trauma as a result of military service post-9/11. Their goal is to empower them to return to civilian life with dignity and independence. Packet pick up and race day registration 6:30am. Races start: 7.30am. Registration 5K: $30; 10K: $35. Race Day an additional $5. Active and retired military free. More info: www.fivestarntp.com/memorial-day.html.
Smyrna Memorial Day Ceremony – 9:30-10:30am
Between Smyrna City Hall and the library
2800 King Street, Smyrna 30080
This year’s featured speakers will be MG (Select) Jesse Simmons Jr. and CPT Donna Rowe, Vietnam Theatre U.S. Army Nurse Corps. The Georgia Army National Guard Band, Campbell High School JROTC, and USAF Honor Guard will be participating in the ceremony. There will be displays of military equipment, which will include current/vintage military and security vehicles, along with weaponry, a U.S. Marine Patrol Boat, and an H3 Hummer. There will also be a rock wall and other attractions. The event and parking are free. The rain location is the Smyrna Community Center.
Memorial Day Ceremony – 10am
The Park at City Center
101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 30188
The City of Woodstock joins forces with the American Legion, Marine Corps League, and other local veterans groups to honor those who fight to keep us free. Join us on Memorial Day for a special service of remembrance. The Cobb New Horizons Concert Band will make the occasion even more special. Call 770-517-6788 for more info.
“Step Back in Time” Memorial Day Open House – 10am-5pm
Brumby Hall Next to the Hilton Atlanta/Marietta Hotel & Conference Center
500 Powder Springs Street, Marietta 30064
Annual Memorial Day Open House with Confederate and Union Soldier re-enactors and refreshments. More information: 770-427-2500 or www.facebook.com/Friends-of-Brumby-Hall 159723404069643/.
Marietta Memorial Day Ceremony – 12pm
Marietta National Cemetery
500 Washington Avenue NE, Marietta 30060
Roswell Remembers – 11am-12.45pm
Roswell City Hall
38 Hill Street, Roswell 30075
Started in 1997, the largest Memorial Day Ceremony in Georgia, Roswell Remembers is a non-political, non-commercial ceremony honoring veterans and the sacrifices they made in protecting our freedom. The program includes the laying of the wreath by Edward (Ted) McCabe, who served in the Korean War. The featured speaker is Hank Freedman (Born in Boston, MA 9/21/1921). Hank is the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, Prisoner of War Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, European African Middle Eastern Medal, American Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and was presented the French Legion of Honor by the French Republic. Veterans will also share Moments of Reflections and there will be a 21-gun salute. After the Military Ceremony, attendees are invited to enjoy a picnic on the grounds, or purchase BBQ available on-site. There will also be a live band.
Artillery, Infantry, and Civilian Demonstration – 11am, 12 pm, 2pm and 3pm
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park Visitor’s Center
900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive, Kennesaw 30152
Artillerists explain the steps of firing a cannon by detailing the role of each person working the cannon. Afterward, the process is performed in real time and the cannon is fired. Please note that cannon firings are very loud, especially to those with hearing sensitivity (i.e., dogs, children, etc.)
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