Road in Front of MAHS Dedicated to Fallen Hero

The sacrifice of Monroe fallen hero 1st Lt. Joseph Helton will now be seen every day by students who attend his alma mater.

In an emotional ceremony on Tuesday, the family of Monroe Area High School graduate and local fallen hero, 1^st Lt. Joseph Dennis Helton, Jr., was on hand to witness the dedication of the road in front of the school. A recipient of the Bronze Star Medal of Valor, a Purple Heart and numerous other decorations, Helton was killed in action in Iraq on Sept. 8, 2009. 

Georgia Rep. Bruce Williamson (R-Monroe), read a resolution honoring Helton that had been introduced in the House of Representatives on Jan. 15, 2013, before handing a copy to Helton's mother, Jiffy.

Most of them chocking back tears, Williamson, Monroe Mayor Greg Thompson, and Walton County Public Superintendent Gary Hobbs paid tribute to Helton and his sacrifice.

"For those of you who knew Lt. Joseph Helton, let this be a time of reflections, a time to reflect back on the life and the time of Joseph Helton," said Thompson, himself a childhood friend of Helton's mother. 

"Most importantly, as we share this story with out students, they will see as they come to school each day, by looking at these signs that love of country, patriotism and sacrifice are indeed alive and well in America," Hobbs said.

A representative from the office of U.S. Congressman Paul C. Broun also read and presented to Helton's family a Resolution honoring the sacrifice of Helton that had been read into the record at the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington D.C. Other speakers included Coach Eli Gulsby of MAHS, a friend of Helton and Lt. Col. Arthur Rozier with the Air Force JROTC. Helton began his military career at MAHS as a member of the JROTC.