On Monday, Rockdale County residents will have a chance to remember the fateful day on Dec. 7, 1941, which then-President Franklin Roosevelt described as a "day of infamy."

The attack on Pearl Harbor launched America's commitment to World War II and lives on in the memory of many Americans.
Rockdale's Veteran's Services Association and the Veteran's Memorial Park Foundation of Rockdale, with help from the Atlanta Chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, are putting on a special event to commemorate the attack on Pearl Harbor and the heroic response.

"First of all, it's a reminder to the public that on that date, we need to remember that freedom is not free," said Tommy Clack, Veterans Services Director for Rockdale. "When the Japanese hit us and we lost over 3,000 Americans, that's a cost of staying free. This program will entail honoring the survivors and the entry into World War II."

The event will take place at Black Shoals Park (3001 Black Shoals Rd. Conyers/770-761-1611) at the park's event and exhibition area, there will be a memorial event for the events of Pearl Harbor and a celebration to remember the citizens who served and were involved in the fateful date.

"We wanted to remember the date and its importance in the history of the 20th Century," said Norman Wheeler, Chairman of the Board of the Veteran's Memorial Park Foundation. "The program will commemorate the ones who were involved and also the park, which was just completed. We haven't had anything going on at night to show off the park, but also let the public come out and remember the folks involved in that date."

It will be the first ever night ceremony at the recently completed park. The program starts at 6 p.m. and will included local Nichole Lunsford singing the National Anthem, the presentation of colors, the playing of patriotic music and a special guest speaker. Bob Kerr, the president of the Atlanta chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, will be the guest speaker. Kerr is one of 39 survivors Pearl Harbor survivors remaining in Georgia.

Attendants can also purchase bricks on the park's walkway to commemorate Americans who served or are serving our country.
"It's one of the days that will live in infamy in the country, so this program will be built in commemoration, and hopefully this will lead other events to be hosted out of the park of a patriotic nature," Wheeler said.