The City of Richmond Hill will host their annual Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 27th.

The ceremony, which is open to the public, will take place at 11 a.m. in J.F. Gregory Park.

Notably, this year’s event will include the unveiling of a new Fallen Heroes Memorial in the park.

The memorial features a battlefield cross composed of a rifle, helmet, boots, and dog tags. The downward facing rifle with a helmet perched on top symbolizes a service member killed in action; the boots signify their march to battle; and the dog tags mean that they are never to be forgotten. Alongside the statue, are plaques honoring the four fallen soldiers from Richmond Hill who have lost their lives in service to their country.

The fallen soldiers being 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.

Boles served in Vietnam in October of 1969 and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Valor, among other accolades.

Cuthbert passed away in September of 1969 and was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Valor.

Freeman died in August of 2009 while serving in Afghanistan. He also received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star of Valor.

Walters was the victim of an active shooter at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida in December of 2019. He was also a recipient of the Purple Heart and the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his actions that day.

“We are honored to pay homage to these fallen soldiers with this new memorial,” said Mayor Russ Carpenter. “These plaques will serve as a lasting tribute to these brave men who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect and defend our freedom.”

This year’s ceremony will also feature guest speaker Lieutenant Colonel Jody Wright, the Battalion Commander of Fort Stewart’s Soldier Recovery Unit.

LTC Wright has served in a variety of positions over his 17-year career including Division Tactical Intelligence Officer, Assistant S2, Tactical Unmanned Aerial System Platoon Leader (deployed), Company Commander, and Cyber Operations Officer.