“We feel that it is a must to recognize our veterans. These are the people that fought for our freedoms. I consider it an honor to take out time to acknowledge their battles and accomplishments for our country,” said Rockdale CEO Richard Oden.

Oden spoke as many around the country weighed in on the massacre that left 13 soldiers dead and 42 others injured at the Fort Hood, Texas Army Base. Investigators are still trying to determine why Major Nidal Malik Hasan, a U.S. Army psychiatrist, went on a shooting rampage against his own colleagues on Nov. 5. Hasan, who was shot four times by a civilian police officer responding to the rampage, remains hospitalized.     

People who paid tribute to veterans everywhere were reminded of the shooting, which was called the worst massacre at an army base in U.S. history.

Oden, whose father and uncles all fought for the country in Korea, says the memorial at Black Shoals Park is a way to always remember the sacrifices that veterans make to protect the country.. 

“We’re only a third of the way completed with the memorial, but we are going to lift up this project in such a way that every body who visits will be educated,” Oden said.  

American favorites such as hot dogs and hamburgers and America’s heroes made for a great combination as on-lookers enjoyed food and took into account the battles faced by those like guest speaker Air Force Master Sgt. Val Archer, an original Tuskegee Airman and Rockdale resident.

“This is a very special occasion, honoring a very special project,” Archer said. “I look forward to working personally with Rockdale to not only make sure that the Tuskegee Airmen are honored here, but the other African American soldiers like the ‘Golden 13,’ Montford Point Marines and Buffalo Soldiers are honored here and are never forgotten.”

Veterans such as Rockdale resident Donald Bryant echoed Archer’s sentiments.

“Seeing this means the world to me,” said Bryant as he looked at a statue in front of the memorial. “Once you go through something like that—a real life battle for your life, for your country—you see everything differently.” 

Bryant, who fought in Lebanon in 1983, said he hopes that the importance of honoring veterans is never taken lightly.

“Our job was once fighting on the battlefield for our country. Now, our fight is with education.  We must continue to educate people on the importance of what we have done and what the future veterans of our country. The soldiers in Iraq are doing now.”