A deathbed promise was fulfilled in Bremen, GA, on Sunday, Sept. 5, with the dedication of a $40,000 cemetery memorial.

Several years ago while in prison, Fred L. Hammock, now 44, was at the point of death. Facing a critical operation, he promised the Blessed Mother that, if he survived, he would honor her in a most special way and spread devotion to her through all his days.

He did survive, and the memorial is the fulfillment of his promise.

The memorial comprises four columns, in which ancient burial prayers are inscribed, and three statues of imported Italian marble. Two of the statues commemorate the angels. The third, which depicts Our Lady of Grace, stands over three graves of deceased Hammock family members, the mother, father and brother of the donor, Fred Hammock.

Surrounding the area of the graves is a marble border in which is inscribed the Prayer of Saint Francis. Still to come is a gas-fed perpetual flame.

In designing the statues and selecting the prayers, Hammock was advised by the Trappist Monks of Holy Ghost Monastery in Conyers.

Present for the dedication on Sunday were about 200 people from the Bremen area, including a gospel-song quartet and a brass band, from the local high school, which played devotional music. Speakers included the Rev. George Wiggins, Methodist minister and cousin of the donor, Rev. Dan Williams, pastor of the nearby Bethlehem Methodist Church, Elder Mac Kimball, high priest of the Mormon Church and personal friend of the donor, and Father James Maciejewski, pastor of Saint Bernadette's Catholic Church, who spoke on Catholic veneration of the saints and respect for the dead.

Father Maciejewski and Hammock were the only Catholics present in the large gathering.

Mr. Hammock was born in Bremen and converted to the Catholic Church in New Orleans at the age of 16. He now resides in New York City.