Fallen Soldier monument pays tribute to those who lost their life

On Nov. 12, 2012, the Freeport Planters Society held a ceremony to dedicate a new veterans memorial acknowledging veterans fallen during their service to our county. The newly installed Fallen Soldier monument compliments the existing Freeport Veterans Memorial located adjacent to City Hall.

Freeport Town Planters Club initiated the project with member Tim Ard spearheading the effort. Ard formed a committee with club members Russ Barley, Eleanor Turner, Trudy Boudreaux and Sandra Pugh, Kasey Cuchens and Nancy Brown to see the project through.

With generous contributions from the local community the end result is a stunning bronze sculpture by artist Richard Rist of Maryland.

Highlights of the ceremony included presentation of colors and flag raising by Walton High School Air Force Junior ROTC, keynote speaker retired Navy Captain Jerry Hatcher, gun salute by Walton County Sheriff Honor Guard and unveiling of the monument by Glenda Penton, mother of local fallen soldier Timothy Padgett, a Special Forces medical sergeant from Walton County who died in the line of duty in Afghanistan in 2007.