Group remembers hero this Memorial Day
Twelve years after Spc. Zachary L. Shannon was killed throughout Operation Enduring Freedom, his hometown of Dunedin is ensuring he’s not forgotten. FOX 13’s Jennifer Epstein stories.
DUNEDIN, Fla. – Kimberly Allison raised 4 courageous boys. Every one proudly served their nation within the army – however her youngest, Spc. Zachary L. Shannon, by no means made it residence.
What they’re saying:
“We’ve a army wall. So I see his face on daily basis. I dwell it each minute of on daily basis,” stated Zachary’s mother, Kimberly.
A army wall honors Spc. Zachary L. Shannon.
She additionally retains him near her coronary heart.
“I put on his canine tag, I’ve his bracelets on, I’ve the necklace he gave me that claims military mother. I speak to him on a regular basis and I do know I will see him once more,” stated Kimberly.
Zachary wasn’t residence lengthy after a 12-month deployment in Korea, when he volunteered to go to Afghanistan.
Pictured: Spc. Zachary L. Shannon.
“He stated, ‘I need to go as a result of then a soldier with a household will get to go residence,’ So he was residence for 3 months. Then he deployed on December 14, 2012, in Afghanistan,” stated Kimberly.
Three months later, on March 11, 2013, Zachary’s helicopter crashed, killing him and 4 different service members in Operation Enduring Freedom.
“I feel if I knew he was scared it could have damage even worse. He was not scared; it was the place he needed to be,” stated Kimberly. “He knew he had a job to do and he’d be residence as quickly as he is completed.”
Pictured: Spc. Zachary L. Shannon.
His hometown of Dunedin, the place he selected to be laid to relaxation. It is the place he performed little league baseball, on a discipline now named after him. A portion of Alternate 19 additionally bears his identify. So does the native VFW, now often called “SPC Zachary Shannon Memorial Put up 2550.”
“Lots of people do not know who Zack is and what he stands for: freedom and free,” stated Kelly McKinley, VFW Auxillary Patriotic Teacher.
Twelve years after his loss of life, the group continues to maintain his reminiscence alive. All through the month of Might, a show on the native library reminds individuals of the hero who known as Dunedin residence.
All through the month of Might, a show on the native library in Dunedin reminds individuals of Spc. Zachary L. Shannon, the hero who known as Dunedin residence.
“Folks have to affiliate a face and a reputation. He was a Dunedin child. A hero. I feel he represents what its all about,” stated Kelly.
Kimberly finds consolation in understanding the group backs all army households.
“You are by no means really gone till you are forgotten,” stated Kimberly.
Due to individuals like Kelly McKinley, Specialist Zachary Shannon’s legacy will proceed to dwell on.
The Supply: Data for this story was gathered by FOX 13’s Jennifer Epstein.
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