The City of Richmond Hill paid tribute to veterans who died in service to America on Monday during its annual Memorial Day ceremony at J. F. Gregory Park.

“I’d like to recognize what today is and that is to pay homage and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” said Richmond Hill Mayor Russ Carpenter.

The event included the unveiling of a new Fallen Heroes Memorial that features a statue and plaques honoring the four fallen soldiers from Richmond Hill who have lost their lives in service.

Those honored are: Sergeant Harry Lee Boles, United States Army; Sergeant Lowry Taylor Cuthbert, United States Army; Captain Matthew C.H. Freeman, United States Marine Corps; and Petty Officer Third Class Cameron Scott Walters, United States Navy.

Some family members of the fallen soldiers were in attendance to not only honor their loved ones, but to also offer encouragement.

“Together, guided by sacred principles and power of conviction, we can and will forge a new birth of freedom and justice in America,” said Lisa Freeman, mother of Captain Matthew C. H. Freeman, a C-130 Hercules pilot who was killed in action on August 7th, 2009 in Afghanistan.

“Today we all take a moment to honor those that have made the ultimate sacrifice, whether we visit a gravesite or place flags. There are so many ways we can honor their contributions. Today should not be the only occasion to remember them. ” Lieutenant Colonel Jody Wright said.

Those interested in seeing the New Fallen Heroes Memorial can do so by visiting J. F. Gregory Park, which is open to the public daily from 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Ebony Lewis is a freelance correspondent with the Bryan County News. Lewis was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and is currently a Senior Multimedia Film and Production major at Georgia Southern University. In her free time, she enjoys being a tutor at Georgia Southern, traveling, and being a part of film productions.