Community Corner
Town Pays Tribute to Local Soldiers
Four Loudoun residents honored and praised for their ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Four local men, who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, were paid tribute to during a ceremony held Saturday morning on the Loudoun County Courthouse lawn.
“We gather to honor four extraordinary men, exceptional patriots. With this memorial, their legend will live on,” said Col. John Epperly, commander of the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
The tribute honored Loudoun County residents Scott Lange Kirkpatrick, Stephen Lee Mace, Douglas J. Green and Michael M. Quinn.
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Local leaders and government officials, family members, service men and women were all present for the dedication. Participants in the ceremony included Boy Scout Troop 1910 of Lucketts, who led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard's Leesburg-based Company C, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team provided a color guard and fired a 21-gun salute.
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Veterans of Foreign War Loudon County Post 1177 laid wreaths and unveiled the names on the memorial and Maj. Gen, USAF (ret.) Hugh Forsythe served as Master of Ceremonies.
“These men were only performing what they considered as their duty," Forsythe said. "Remember the sacrifices made for us. These Americans served a noble and necessary cause. We remember them and we will not forget."
“It means a lot to have this memorial," said Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA). "These soldiers paid the ultimate price. I appreciate Leesburg remembering them."
The names are inscribed on the memorial, listed in order by their death dates. According to Ben Lawrence, chair of the War Memorial Trust Fund Committee, there will be room to add more names if needed.