LINDALE (KYTX) - A new memorial at the Lindale City Cemetery is giving local fallen soldiers the recognition they deserve.
When Nancy Smith came up with the idea to build a soldiers memorial, she had one thing on her mind - her son.
"He was in the military and he was killed in a training accident," Smith says.
Losing her son made her think of other soldiers who had given the ultimate sacrifice.
"It was an inspiration basically," she says. "We needed to do this for the soldiers that are here."
She and her husband Brent Smith wanted other families of fallen soldiers to know, that their children are heroes.
"If you've ever been a parent of a child in the military you know the feeling, and if you've lost a child it's even worse," Nancy says.
Putting this memorial together took months to set up, it cost about $5,000 and every penny of that is coming from donations.$2,000 of that total is still unpaid.
Nancy says that shows how much the community truly appreciates those who have given their lives for our freedom.
Vietnam Veteran Charles Rider served for 28 years, and lost a lot of friends along the way.
"It made me feel proud and yet sad too, for the lives we've lost," Rider says.
"Few survivors. Very few. But I would do it again."
He says he's thankful for the new soldier memorial.
"I really like this dedication."
"It's massive," Nancy says. "It's a feeling you just, it's from the heart for sure."
The Smiths have turned pain into pride - and pride, into joy, as they honor their son, and so many other brave heroes who fell, defending our freedom.
"They've all given obviously, the supreme sacrifice as we put on the monument, and continue to," Nancy says.
To donate to the soldier memorial, you can send funds here:
Nancy Smith
P.O. Box 754
Lindale, TX 75771
**Make checks payable to Lindale City Cemetery Soldier Memorial
