BY DEBBIE PAGE
Those gathered at the Walk of Heroes 4th Annual Memorial Day ceremony on Monday morning paused to remember Ron “Duck” Wyatt, who passed away on February 11, for his instrumental role in starting the annual event in Troutman.
Exchange Club of Troutman member Amy Suggs, who chaired the Walk of Heroes event committee, presented the first flag planted at the 2025 event to Wyatt’s tearful widow, Julie, and his family in recognition of his support and generosity that made the event possible.
Suggs spoke of Wyatt’s love of his country and the Troutman community, noting that his military service, warm friendship, his many stories, and his laughter created a lasting impression on all who met him.
A member of the Exchange Club of Troutman and a key founder of the event, Wyatt spoke at the 2025 opening Walk of Heroes ceremony when this flag was installed. Suggs said that the flag was symbolic of Wyatt and the life he lived and expressed her respect and gratitude for his service, friendship, and the legacy of the Walk of Heroes.
“He will be deeply missed but never forgotten,” said Suggs.
The crowd responded with a standing ovation as Julie Wyatt received the encased flag.
The ceremony began with the presenting of arms by the American Legion Post 65 of Statesville, the presentation of the colors by the MCJROTC Color Guard from South Iredell High School, and the singing of the National Anthem by Crystal McIntosh.
Rev. Bill Troutman delivered the opening prayer, urging those in attendance to remember those who gave all in the service of their country, as well as their loved ones who miss them. The things that these men and women did so that Americans can be free and enjoy the freedoms in this country must never be forgotten, he added.
Rev. Troutman also remembered those who came home from military service but still suffer trauma from their wartime experiences.
Mayor Teross Young also expressed his condolences to Wyatt’s family, reiterating how much he meant to the town and to Young personally. “Thank you for sharing him with us,” he said.
The mayor spoke of the honor of attending the 4th Annual Walk of Heroes to honor the brave men and women who served with unwavering dedication and made the ultimate sacrifice so that Americans can be free.
Young said the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence this year was a reminder of the enduring spirit of freedom that these heroes defended on the battlefields across the centuries of the American experiment.
“This event serves as a time of reflection and gratitude on the contributions of those who gave their lives in defense of those freedoms and peace,” he said. “Let us come together in unity and respect as we commemorate this occasion.”
Evening Exchange Club of Lake Norman President Bill Anderson spoke of the powerful tribute of the 300-plus American flags lining the Richardson Greenway for the past 10 days. Each flag was purchased by area citizens to honor a veteran or first responder who serves the nation.
The Walk of Heroes closing ceremony focuses on those soldiers who lost their lives across the world and whose courage and devotion should never be forgotten, added Anderson.
Exchange Club of Troutman President Jane Babela expressed gratitude to the hundreds who gathered to honor those who gave their lives in defense of Americans’ freedoms.
“Your presence reminds us that remembrance is not just about looking back. It is about coming together, standing united and ensuring the sacrifices of our heroes are never forgotten,” she said.
Babela also expressed gratitude to the event’s partner, the Town of Troutman, and the dedicated members of both Exchange Clubs whose hard work makes both the Walk of Heroes and the Memorial Day ceremony possible.
As people gather for picnics and parades each Memorial Day, Sen. Vickie Sawyer asked that community members pause with grateful and humble hearts to remember and honor those who defended Americans’ freedoms.
Sawyer recounted that the earliest known memorial commemoration occurred in Charleston, S.C., when a group of freed slaves dug up a mass grave of Union soldiers who died in a Confederate prison and gave them proper burials in a new cemetery, enclosed with a tall whitewashed fence inscribed with “Martyrs of the Race Course.”
On May 1, 1865, a crowd of 10,000 people, composed of mostly freed slaves and a few white missionaries, staged a parade around the racetrack, according to newspaper reports at the time, marking the first memorial parade for fallen soldiers.
“Decoration Day” was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to honor Civil War soldiers from both sides with flowers on their graves in Arlington Cemetery in a bid to heal the nation. The fallen soldiers’ recognition expanded as America was involved in other wars.
Memorial Day became a federal holiday in 1971, celebrated on the last Monday of May, to remember all U.S. military personnel who died in service.
This day “is not about us,” said Sawyer. “It is about them, the men and women who stepped forward when duty called, faced danger and darkness, and who never came home. They lay now in quiet rows in Arlington Cemetery, in national cemeteries across our land, and in small churchyards, in family plots, like right here in our community.”
“Their sacrifice secured the blessings of liberty that we enjoy today — the right to speak freely, to worship as we choose, to raise our families in peace, and to gather here this morning,” she added. “Let us resolve to carry on their legacy. Let us live lives worthy of their sacrifice. Let us teach our children the true cost of freedom. Let us never take for granted the peace and prosperity we enjoy because others were willing to pay the ultimate price.”
Brad Fowler, the constituent services representative for NC’s 10th Congressional District, honored the fallen servicemembers’ sacrifices, saying they “answered the call across generations with courage, honor, and unwavering devotion.”
He noted that behind every gravestone is a story of a son, a daughter, mother, or friend, a father, a neighbor, or an American hero. They came from every background and walk of life “united by a belief in something greater than themselves — a belief in service, in country and in the enduring promise of America.”
A veteran himself, Fowler noted that “our freedoms are not guaranteed. They were earned and protected through extraordinary sacrifice. The debt we owe our fallen heroes can never truly be repaid, but we can honor them through our actions — by serving our communities, supporting military families and veterans, defending democracy, and striving every day to build a nation worthy of their sacrifice.”
He also thanked the Gold Star families present. “We carry your loved ones in our hearts. Your sacrifice has woven the story of this nation, and we will never forget it,” he said.
Fowler asked the next generation to avoid losing sight of what Memorial Day truly means. “Let us teach our children not only the history of those who served but the values they defended — courage, duty, sacrifice, and unity,” he said.
During the Armed Services Salute, veterans were asked to stand when their branch song played, followed by the closing of the ceremony with a 21-gun salute by American Legion Post 65 members and the playing of taps by Tom Matisko.
Suggs thanked presenting sponsor Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home as well as red sponsors Cedar Stump Pub-Troutman, Eyes on Lake Norman Optometry, SHA Mechanical, Combat Crawlspace, Triangle Insurance Company, Vintage Restoration, and Corriher Michael Tax and Advisors. White sponsors included Sawyer Insurance and Financial Services, Troutman Auto Care, K-2 Sports Therapy, Madd Monkey Garage, and Universal Remodeling and Handyman Services. In-kind contributions included Hattie Hill Designs, Charlotte Pipe, Lisa Crates Photography, Troutman Event Center, Iredell Free News, Purple Heart Homes, WHIP Radio, Salter Enterprises, and Lake Norman High School FFA.
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