Family and friends of the late Sgt. Michael Hardegree are inviting the public to a free concert to pay tribute to him and others who have lost their lives serving in the military, as well as a way to keep those who are still in harm’s way in the forefront of people’s thoughts and prayers.

The concert will be held at First Baptist Church of Villa Rica on Sept. 10 at 7 p.m., which is the one-year anniversary of the day Hardegree was killed in action last year in Iraq.

Hardegree was the second Villa Rica son to die in service since the U.S. went to war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the other being Samuel W. Large Jr.

The concert will feature patriotic performances by the Villa Rica High marching band and the Harris County High marching band. Though Hardegree had no connection to Harris County, the school’s band director, a friend of Hardegree’s sister, Beth Shaw, commissioned a musical composition that will be premiered at the event. The piece, titled “Face of Honor,” is meant to pay tribute to Hardegree’s life and the sacrifice he made for his country.

“There will just be a lot of patriotic music to celebrate Mike’s life and everyone else who has lost their life serving their country,” Shaw said. Organizers have invited local, state and national politicians, as well as the public. However, seating is limited at the church so it is recommended that those who attend the concert arrive early.

“The response and support for this concert has been very, very good,” Shaw said.

Besides the high school bands, there will be guest musicians sitting during the performances. Among those will be members of the U.S. Army ForceCom Band based at Ft. McPherson in Atlanta and local professional musicians. The event will also feature four guest conductors.

“Their will be some happy songs and some sad songs, but mostly we want to focus on being positive and remember the time we had with Mike,” Shaw said.