Alpharetta, Milton To Host Memorial Day Ceremonies (ICYMI)

ALPHARETTA, GA — Residents in Alpharetta and Milton will have two opportunities to honor the service men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. Both cities will hold events commemorating Memorial Day on Monday.

The city of Milton's event will begin at 10 a.m. May 28 at Freedom Park at 13200 Deerfield Parkway in Milton.

The city and Milton's Police and Fire departments are inviting the community to join in its ceremony to those who've paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country. The event includes Milton Public Safety Color Guard, a combined honor guard from the police and fire departments, Milton bagpiper Bob Kaus, and Jordan Thorne, winner of the recent Milton's Got Talent competition, will sing the National Anthem and God Bless America.

Attendees will hear from keynote speakers Nicholas "Nick" Snider, the founder of the National Foundation of Patriotism, and the Foundation's Executive Director Patricia Stansbury, and recognize Milton's fallen veterans with an official roll call honoring their memory.

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In Alpharetta, the city and Rotary Club of Alpharetta members will host its 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.

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.

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.

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