As we pause to remember the sacrifices made by the men and women of the armed forces this Memorial Day, let us also remember to protect that for which they so valiantly gave all, our freedoms.
The Northeast Georgia area will hold various events to honor the memories of those soldiers. Here is a list of events you can attend with your family, or even on your lunch break. And let us keep them, and all of our service men and women, in our thoughts as we celebrate with our friends and family this weekend.
Memorial Day parade, Gainesville. American Legion Paul E. Bolding Post 7. 10 a.m. Monday, begins at First Baptist Church on Green Street and ends on Spring Street at E.E. Butler Parkway. Contact Dave Dellinger, 770-718-7676, or Roger Keebaugh, 770-869-7941.
Memorial Day Celebration. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday. Free. Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial service at 11:30 a.m. in the veterans section of the cemetery. Program includes disposal of worn American flags. Hall County Sheriff’s Office also providing 24-hour vigil with posting of armed Honor Guard member. Free food and refreshments from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Contact Billy Hendrix, 678-617-2760.
Northeast Georgia History Center open house, Gainesville. Video interviews with veterans will show in the Sports Hall of Fame theater and refreshments will be served. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday. Free. Northeast Georgia History Center, 322 Academy St. NE, Gainesville. 770-297-5900.
Memorial Day Concert, Gainesville. Air National Guard Band of the South from Dobbins Air Force Base. 2 p.m. Monday, Lakewood Baptist, 2235 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville. jwfalk@bellsouth.net.
Memorial Day Concert, Gainesville. The Last Full Measure of Devotion. Northwinds Symphonic Band. 7:30 p.m. Monday. Free. First Baptist Church, 751 Green St. NW, Gainesville.
Memorial Day Blast, Helen. Relay races, field day activities, a campfire, concert and hoedown. 8 to 9 p.m. Monday, Unicoi State Park and Lodge, 1788 Ga. 356, Helen. $3 parking. 800-573-9659, ext. 305.
Memorial Day Gorge Floor Hikes, Tallulah Falls. Strenuous hike will involve rock-hopping and getting wet. Age 10 and older. Preregister. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Drive, Tallulah Falls. $4 parking. 706-754-7981.
Memorial Day celebration, Suwanee. The Gwinnett Community Band and the Sugar Hill Latter Day Saints Choir will perform. The Silver Wings parachute team will drop in and demonstrate. Bring picnic, blankets and chairs; no alcohol. 7 p.m. Friday, Town Center Park, intersection of Buford Highway and Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, Suwanee. Free. Bring a canned good to donate.
Zac Brown Band Memorial Day Picnic Concert, Atlanta. 5 p.m. Monday, Chastain Park Amphitheater, Atlanta.
Stone Mountain Memorial Day events, Stone Mountain. 5 p.m. concerts, 9:30 p.m. laser shows Saturday through Monday, with Gainesville State College brass ensemble performance and fireworks Monday. Stone Mountain Park, U.S. 78 East, Exit 8, Stone Mountain. Free with $10 parking.