Alpharetta Memorial Day Tribute Set For May 28

ALPHARETTA, GA — The city of Alpharetta and the Rotary Club of Alpharetta will host the 4th Annual Memorial Day Tribute on Monday, May 28. The annual event, which is free and open to the public, begins with music at 9 a.m., with the program starting at 9:30 a.m. at Alpharetta City Hall.

"One of the most important things we do as a city is to remember those who have given their lives in the service of our country," Alpharetta Mayor Pro-Tem Donald Mitchell. "The very freedom we enjoy and the lives we create are given to us by the soldiers who died for our liberty."

The Memorial Day Tribute will kick off with music by the Alpharetta City Band at 9 a.m. The program begins at 9:30 a.m. which will include the invocation, Posting of Colors, Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem, a keynote speech by Major General Maria Britt (ret.), laying of the wreath, 21-gun salute, and "Taps" played by Arthur Yu of Alpharetta High School.

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Maj. Gen. Britt served as commanding general of Georgia's 11,000 Army National Guard soldiers from 2007 to 2011. General Britt led at various levels of command and staff over her 28-year career spanning both active duty and Guard service. In 2014, General Britt was awarded the second highest U.S. Army award, the Distinguished Service Medal, for her leadership as commanding general.

General Britt commissioned as a second lieutenant from the United States Military Academy in 1983. General Britt holds a bachelor's degree in general engineering, master's degree in strategic intelligence and a master's degree in strategic studies.

Previously, General Britt served as the associate vice president for operations at Kennesaw State University. She also served as chairperson for the University Safety Council and the Public Health Advisory Council. As an advocate for veteran and women issues, General Britt founded and presided over Georgia's first chapter of Women in Defense supporting women in all sectors of the defense industry.

She is a Homestead Hospice volunteer and also serves on advisory boards for Senator Isakson's West Point Nomination Committee, the Shepherd Spinal Center, KSU's Women Leadership Center, Warior2Citizen, Women Veteran Social Justice, and Georgians Advancing Veteran Education. General Britt is currently the director of Strategic Planning for Mountain Education Charter High School and resides in Blairsville. She has three adult children and two grandsons.

"Memorial Day is a time to reflect, a time of remembrance, and a time to pay tribute to the men and women of our military who sacrificed their lives for our freedom," said John Hipes, chairman of the Memorial Day Tribute. "It is important that we join together as a community, with friends and family, to honor and respect their sacrifice and to celebrate our freedom."

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