Memorial Day is a holiday in which we take time to honor the lives of our military men and women who have died fighting on our behalf, defending our rights and freedoms. This Memorial Day, May 25, two local veteran-focused groups based are going to hold ceremonies to do just that.

American Legion Post 77 will hold a morning ceremony at 11 a.m. at its headquarters located at 674 Legion Road, Conyers. The service will include a speech from Butch Woodruff, member of the American Legion in Covington, and wreath placement on a war memorial outside the facility. The event should last for about 45 minutes.

Afterward, people will move inside the building to partake in a barbeque, which will last for as long their food, says American Legion Post 77 Commander Art Darr. A blood drive, handled by the American Red Cross, will also be taking place.
Later in the evening, when temperatures have cooled a bit,

The Walk of Heroes/Veterans War Memorial at Black Shoals Park will host a ceremony, starting at 7 p.m.

The event, brought due to popular demand, will have state Senator Hunter Hill, R-Atlanta, present at the guest speaker. Hill also sits on the state senate's Veterans Affairs committee as chairman.

"We decided to avoid the heat and move to 7 p.m. to accommodate the elderly and those that can get off work," said Tommy Clack, president and board chair of the Walk of Heroes Memorial nonprofit.

Schools are out, and hopefully students can attend and bring their parents, said Clack.

For more, go to www.walkofheroes.org