Martin County’s legacy of courageous patriotism is deservedly commemorated by road signs recently erected naming bridges and highways as memorial tributes to our military heroes who have bravely served, fought and died in various branches of the U.S. Military.

Six of these memorial tributes (five bridges and one highway) are named for Martin County freedom fighters who died in the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1970: PFC Grover Bowen, Sgt. Roe Hopson Jr., PFC Jacob Andrew (Jake) Horn, WO2 William Howard Stepp, SP4 James Lloyd Stewart and PFC Danny Russell Ward. These young men, most of them barely out of high school, fought courageously to save the South Vietnamese people from the dictates of communistic overthrow.

The one other recently erected memorial commemorates the sacrifices of the Lon and Rosetta Crum family whose five sons each served our country in tours of duty from 1939 throughout World War II or during the Korean Ward that ended in 1953. The Crum Brothers valiantly defended freedom around the globe — Normandy, Northern France, Germany, North Apennines, Pusan, Seoul and countless other war zones.

The veteran memorials that now proudly dot our highways are just the beginning. There are many roads and bridges in Martin County that do not currently serve as a memorial to gallant sacrifice that deserves recognition.

Sadly, Martin County families have suffered unbearable losses on battlefields throughout the world — 31 casualties in World Word II, one casualty in the Korean War. To date, seven Vietnam War dead have been commemorated — this includes PFC Thomas Randall Ramey, previously honored by a memorial bridge.

It is fitting that we honor the memory of our fellow Martin Countians who gave all to defend freedom.

If you are aware of a Martin County Veteran who was a casualty of war or received other military commendation(s) that you would like to nominate to be commemorated, the process is simple. Submit the nominee’s war record and the highway or bridge in Martin County you are requesting the State Legislature to approve as his/her memorial to one of the following: Senator Phillip Wheeler, Representative Norma McCormick or County/Judge Executive Colby Kirk.

Once the information is received, the nomination will be reviewed and stepped through appropriate channels to determine eligibility. This process normally takes 6 to 12 months. In a calendar year, no more than three memorial tributes are customarily approved per county.

Memorials to our veterans will serve to graphically remind future generations, “FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.” The cost to gain freedom and maintain it is astronomical. Remembering the freedom fighters of the past will hopefully instill pride and appreciation in all Martin Countians for the sacrifices previously made by our veterans and currently being made by our men and women proudly serving the Armed Forces of our United States of America. Our military families are deserving our heartfelt pride and appreciation as well.

A tour map with all bridges and highways in the county designated as Veteran Memorials will be drafted to further support the tradition of remembering those who gave all to “let freedom ring.”

Appreciation to all who have been a part of this recent project to commemorate the great sacrifices of Martin County Veterans killed in battles in foreign lands to keep the battles from our own shores, lest we ever forget what is at stake — FREEDOM: Project coordinators Roger and Teresa Harless; war records research: Buford Horn, Lisa Kirk, Phillip and Barbara Kirk; resolution drafting Martin County Judge/Executive Colby Kirk; the Martin County Fiscal Court for its unanimous approval; Senator Phillip Wheeler and Representative Norma McCormick for their commitment to having our fallen heroes commemorated.

Most of all, appreciation to our late Martin County Judge/Executive Victor Slone, who did the leg work and persistently communicated with the State Transportation Department and Highway Department to get the signs printed and installed.

May Martin Countians ever be free. May we ever honor those whose great sacrifices purchased freedom for us.