North Georgia residents have a rare opportunity this weekend to visit a traveling memorial listing those who have died serving the United States of America.
Veteran Mel Halfon was one of those in attendance Friday morning at the opening ceremony for the Cost of Freedom Wall in Young Harris.
0:12 {HALFON: “It is an honor to recognize all our veterans and particularly the ones that paid the ultimate price, which is their life. And, you know, I’ve got a couple of buddies I was in Vietnam that are on the wall and it's sad. It brings back a lot of memories.”}
The Cost of Freedom Tribute service Friday morning included a welcome by Towns County Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw, prayers by Dr. Wade Lott and Towns County Sheriff’s Maj. Eric Wood, introductions by Commander John Harkins, and songs by Summer Rahn of Towns County.
Maj. Bob Bischoff, who was inducted in the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame in 2015, talked about the sacrifices made by military personnel and their families, and the men he lost while serving as the Rifle Company commander advising the Vietnamese Rangers in 1969-1970.
In addition to the Vietnam era veterans listed on the wall, the memorial also includes the following:
- Afghanistan and Iraq Warrior Tribute
- 9/11 Tribute including Tower casualties, Flight 11, Flight 175, Flight 77, and Flight 93
- Iran hostage
- El Salvador War
- USMC Beirut
- Grenada Invasion
- Libya Air Attack
- USS Stark Attack
- Panama Invasion
- World War I
- World War II
- Korean War
- Vietnam War
- Cold War
- USS Pueblo
The wall remains on display through Sunday night on the football field at Foster Park Recreation Center, just off Highway 76 in Young Harris.
