DOBSON — “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers: For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother.”
It was with these words from Shakespeare’s “Henry V” that Hugh Wilkins spoke of the three men honored by the Fallen Eagles Memorial.
“It should not take a special day to remember and honor these young people,” he said during Friday morning’s dedication ceremony at Surry Central High School. “They fought and they died for each other and for our freedom.”
Wilkins, class of 1963, was the keynote speaker for the ceremony to honor Gerold Lee Mounce, Dale Alan Gunnell and Adam Lee Marion, graduates of Surry Central who were killed in the line of duty. More than 100 people gathered in front of the school along with the student body to pay respect to these men and to their about 20 family members present at the dedication.
Mounce, a graduate from the class of 1963, was killed in Vietnam at the age of 22. Gunnell, Surry Central class of 1965, also was killed during the Vietnam War, at the age of 20. Marion was a member of the class of 2000 and was killed in Iraq in 2008 at the age of 26.
“Like many graduates, these three men answered the call of duty to their country,” said Principal Kevin Via. “These men represent what is best about our country, our community and our school.”
The memorial consists of a single granite stone sitting in front of the school. There are also two benches nearby which Ron Phillips, the man who came up with the idea for the memorial, hopes will be a place for reflection.
Via and Wilkins both addressed the student body specifically when noting that the three honorees were not much older than they are. Via said he hoped the students will see the memorial and remember the price that is paid for their freedom.
“It is our responsibility to never forget their sacrifice,” said Wilkins. “Today we have gathered to remember these three fallen Eagles. These three young men were in the prime of their life, they had plans, they had friends and, more importantly, they had families.”
Several student groups helped out with the event as well. The school’s JROTC program helped to lead the event and stood in formation at the front of the ceremony. The school’s choral program sang the National Anthem for the event, and a brass quartet played “Taps” at the conclusion of the event.
Read more: Mount Airy News - Central honors fallen Eagles
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