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Photo courtesy of Peggi Payton.
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By Editor Becky Watts
ZEBULON - The LCPL Jeffrey Walker Memorial Fundraiser was held on August 24, 2013 on the Square in Zebulon. The Fundraiser was sponsored by the American Legion Post 197, Sons of the American Legion Squadron 197, and the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 197 along with family and friends of LCPL Jeffrey Walker.
LCPL Walker was a 2004 Pike County Graduate who joined the Marine Corps and was serving his second tour of duty when he was killed in action in Al Anbar, Iraq in 2007. Donations are being used for a Memorial to be placed in the Old Middle School Building to honor LCPL Walker and his sacrifice for our freedom.
The afternoon began with the posting of the colors by the Color Guard from the Pike County Sheriff's Office. Very shortly thereafter, the roar of over 50 bikes was heard as a rolling tribute came in from the I-75 exit 201 TA Travel Plaza Parking Lot. Teri Totten lead with LCPL Jeffrey Walker's Mom, Teresa Rutledge, riding behind her on the trike decked out with a Patriot Guard flag as well as an American flag.
Thank you to the Pike County Sheriff's Office for providing escort for the riders during the route from Jackson. Thank you to the Lamar County Sheriff's Office for providing assistance in passage along the roads for the procession.
The bands Shakedown and Loose Change performed during the four hour benefit on the Square where a silent auction was held. Thanks go out to Semper Fi Sisters, Bryce with Italian Ice, Coach Wetherbee from Davis & Co. Inflatables for the inflatable slide, and Johnny on the Spot. Thanks also go out to local businesses that donated items for silent auction are Pike Depot, Farm Bureau, Comfort Zone Spa, Cedars Golf Club, McCrary Pump & Electric, Dependable Waste, Home Depot Thomaston, Tim's Country Cooking, American Pie, Auto Masterz, Freshway Market and Serendipity. Thank you to Pike Agency and Patriot Pest Control for their donations toward this event. "I would like to thank everyone that came out to support us and this great cause," said Teresa Rutledge.
Ben Maxedon, Chaplain for the American Legion, Pike Post 197, praised the community for their help with this fundraiser. "The program would not have been the overwhelming success that it was without the help of Claude Hollis and his crew and the City of Zebulon providing the needed equipment and manpower to make it happen. As usual, the Pike County Sheriff’s Department was flawless in the presentation of the flags, providing a measure of pomp and circumstance to the event."
"We appreciate all the local retailers which donated items which were auctioned," said Chaplain Maxedon. "Davis & Co. Inflatables provided a welcome distraction for the youngsters with their inflatable."
"The most important part of the event was all the people, all those from the community, and those who participated in the motorcycle ride, that joined in celebrating the life of a fallen hero," Maxedon said. "We thank all those who where there and all those who made donations. We are privileged to live in a community that is so caring and giving."
The Pike County Board of Education and the Pike County American Legion Post 197 will hold a dedication program on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. to dedicate a Memorial to fallen hero LCPL JD Walker and rededicate the Alternative School Building as the Pike County Memorial Annex Building. The program will be held at the Alternative School Building; however, in case of bad weather the program will be held in the gymnasium building.
The Board of Education has decided to provide the Memorial Annex Building to be used as a general monument for all those in Pike County who give the ultimate sacrifice while serving the community. The intent is for the building to house memorials for all of the community’s fallen heroes. The public is invited to attend this dedication, as a hero is remembered and honored, and Pike County receives a home for its memories.
Thank you to members of our American Legion Pike Post 197, the 197 Auxiliary, and the Sons of the Legion Post 197 for all for all of the support your provide in our community and thank you to everyone who came out or supported this event. The total amount raised for this memorial is over $3,300! We truly do live in an awesome community!
Click here to read about the dedication that took place on September 28, 2013.
Photo courtesy of Peggi Payton.
Photo courtesy of Peggi Payton.