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Home » Press Releases » Deal honors Georgia's fallen service members: Governor orders flags to half-staff for Memorial Day

Deal honors Georgia's fallen service members: Governor orders flags to half-staff for Memorial Day

May 26, 2011

In a Memorial Day service today, Gov. Nathan Deal honored members of the armed forces who gave their lives in service to the United States. He paid special tribute to 22 service members from Georgia who lost their lives in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Those members, who listed Georgia as their home state, were killed in action since last year’s ceremony.

“Today, we commemorate these fallen heroes for their courage and sense of honor, for their service and for their love of this nation and our most cherished principles,” said Deal. “They have given their lives in defense of freedom, and we owe them our deepest respect and gratitude. But even more, we owe them our allegiance to the principles that they gave so much for – freedom, justice and equality. This ceremony is a time to recommit ourselves to those high ideals.”

Lt. Col. Kevin Jarrard of Riverside Military Academy delivered the keynote address.

The 22 fallen soldiers are listed below.

Air Force

Senior Airman Michael Buras — Sept. 21, 2010, Fitzgerald

Army

Sergeant Jonathan Peney — June 1, 2010, Marietta

Sergeant David Holmes — June 26, 2010, Tennille

Sergeant Johnny Lumpkin — July 1, 2010, Columbus

Private First Class Jacob Dennis — July 3, 2010, Powder Springs

Staff Sergeant Sheldon Tate — July 13, 2010, Hinesville

Sergeant First Class Edgar Roberts — Aug. 17,2010, Hinesville

Specialist Chad Coleman — Aug. 27, 2010, Moreland

Specialist Shannon Chihuahua — Nov. 12, 2010, Thomasville

Private First Class Austin Staggs — Nov. 29, 2010, Senoia

Sergeant Brandon S. Hocking — March 21, 2011, Seattle, WA

Private Jeremy P. Faulkner — March 29, 2011, Griffin

Major Wesley J. Hinkley — April 4, 2011, Carisle, PA

Specialist Gary L. Nelson — April 5, 2011, Woodstock

Staff Sergeant Cynthia R. Taylor — April 16, 2011, Columbus

Marine Corps

Lance Corporal William Richards — June 26, 2010, Trenton

Lance Corporal Christopher Rodgers— Sept. 1, 2010, Griffin

First Lieutenant Scott Fleming — Sept. 17, 2010, Marietta

Corporal Stephen Sockalosky — Oct. 6, 2010, Cordele

Lance Corporal Raymon Johnson — Oct. 13,2010, Midland

Lance Corporal Joseph R. Giese — Jan. 7, 2011, Winder

Navy

Senior Chief Petty Office David McLendon — Sept. 21, 2010, Thomasville

In remembrance of the sacrifice made by fallen service members and their families, Deal ordered flags on all state buildings and grounds to be lowered on Saturday and remain at half-staff until noon on Monday.