BY DEBBIE PAGE
About 75 attendees gathered on the Richardson Greenway on Friday morning for the 4th Annual Walk of Heroes opening ceremony. The display is organized by the Exchange Club of Troutman and the Evening Exchange of Lake Norman.
Hundreds of American flags and the flags of Armed Services and first responders will be displayed along Richardson Greenway from May 15 (Arms Services Day) through 26 (Memorial Day), reminding community members to remember and honor those who serve, putting their lives on the line daily and some even sacrificing their lives for others’ liberty and safety.
Walk of Heroes Chair Amy Suggs welcomed the crowd to the ceremony, followed by Miss Statesville Isabella DiFiore delivering a soaring rendition of the National Anthem.
Suggs also recognized veterans present and thanked police officers for their service during National Police Week.
Rev. Bill Troutman, representing presenting sponsor Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home, delivered an opening prayer, asking for blessings on all the heroic veterans and first responders who serve their communities and country.
Rev. Troutman praised their courage, self-sacrifice, and dedication to high purposes. He asked that the United States always stand for the liberty, righteousness, and peace.
A procession of motorcyclists and a military Humvee, escorted by both Mooresville and Troutman police officers from Richard’s Coffee Shop in downtown Mooeresville, brought the first flag to be installed to the Town Hall.
Speaker Bill Cox has driven this flag thousands of miles across the country on his patriotic themed motorcycle, visiting hundreds of events for first responders and veterans from New York to Florida along the way.
The flag went to nine Gold Star family monuments in Florida as well as assisted living facilities for veterans.
“The most profound thing I heard during our trip this year, by one of the veterans in those facilities, was ‘Thank you for bringing America to us.’
“That hit. A veteran telling us ‘thank you for bringing America to us.’ Some of these veterans have no visitors, no more family, or the family lives too far away. Sometimes we are their only visitors.”
“If it wasn’t for veterans, we would not have the freedoms we have. If it was not for first responders, we would not be as safe as we are.”
The flag flew through 9,000 miles as he traveled across America. “When you look at this flag and look at the other flags that are put up today, they’re not the same,” he said.
“This flag has been through its struggles of flying behind that bike. It’s made its visits and memories — just like our veterans when they come home. They also don’t come home the same, so we must remember that.”
“Some passed during a war; some passed due to war after they came home.”
“When you look at this flag, remember it’s weathered like our veterans, but we still must embrace them, honor them, remember them, because someone dies twice: once on the battlefield, and once when you forget to say their name.”
Troutman Town Manager Justin Longino thanked the Exchange clubs, community volunteers, sponsors, and partners who make this special Troutman event possible through their hard work.
The Walk of Heroes is “a powerful tradition for our community. As these flags line the greenway in the coming days, they will serve as a visible reminder of the men and women who serve their country with courage, sacrifice, and dedication.”
“Every flag is a story, a family, a commitment to service, and a legacy that deserves to be remembered.”
“Especially as we approach Memorial Day, this event gives us an opportunity not only to remember those who have served but also to reflect on the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy because of their sacrifice.”
“We are proud that Troutman can play a small part in ensuring those stories are never forgotten.”
After thanking the Town of Troutman for its strong support for this event, Suggs introduced Police Chief Josh Watson, saying “We have heroes that wear a lot of uniforms, and this is definitely one of them.”
“Police, first responders, and firefighters are all our heroes, and we certainly appreciate your service.”
Revealing he lost several family members in combat, “it’s important to remember those who have given their lives,” Watson added.
Noting America’s 250th birthday this year, Watson shared that 25,000 Americans died in the Revolutionary War, with 6,800 dying in combat and the rest from disease and harsh conditions in prisoner of war camps.
The Revolutionary War was America’s second most deadly in terms of the percentage of population killed.
Watson also recognized May 15 as Police Officers Memorial Day, asking the community to remember the 24,000 law enforcement officers who have died since 1786.
“All those numbers serve to remind us that the freedom and safety we have come with a cost. That cost includes the soldiers that lie down their lives, most recently in the conflict with Iran, as well as police officers, which it seems one is killed weekly.”
“What we need to take from all this is that we need to live lives of serving others. You don’t have to put on a uniform, be in the military, or be a police officer to serve your community,” the chief said. “You can start by just being kind to your neighbor, seeing someone that needs help and providing a service to them.”
HONOR A HERO
Community members can purchase a Walk of Heroes Tribute Flag to honor or remember a loved one who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Each flag will be displayed along the greenway in downtown Troutman until Memorial Day.
Each flag will include a personalized tag listing the hero’s name, their branch of service, and the flag purchaser’s name.
At the conclusion of the event, purchasers can retrieve their flag following the Memorial Day Ceremony at Troutman ESC Park.
The flags and poles are $35 each. Proceeds of flag purchases will support the continuation of this annual tribute.
Secure a flag today and ensure a special hero is recognized in this powerful community tribute at https://troutmanwalkofheroes.com/products/walk-of-heroes-flag.
MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY
Suggs invited everyone to the Walk of Heroes concluding Memorial Day Ceremony from 11 a.m. to 12 noon on May 25 at ESC Park.
The ceremony will feature speakers from the Walk of Heroes Committee and the Town of Troutman, presenters from the community sharing words of tribute, a live musical performance, presentation of the colors, a 21-gun salute in honor of fallen service members, and food afterwards provided by the Fraternal Order of Police.
The Exchange Clubs will also present former Troutman Town Manager Ron Wyatt’s widow Julie with the first flag from last year’s Walk of Heroes display. Wyatt helped start the Walk of Heroes tradition in 2023 and was an Exchange Club of Troutman member.
Well-behaved pets are welcome at the ceremony; however, please note a 21-gun salute is part of the ceremony. If the pet is sensitive to loud noises, leaving them at home for their comfort is recommended.
Seating will not be sufficient for everyone in attendance, so guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets.
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