Memorial Near Lake Claremore Dedicated To Memory Of Fallen Soldier

Claremore dedicated a gathering place Monday afternoon for a hometown soldier killed in action.

A year after 19-year-old Army Private First Class Jon Townsend was killed in Afghanistan, the community now has a place to remember him.

Townsend's sister said Monday's ceremony was overwhelming and the location at Lake Claremore was one of her brother's favorite places to be.

Townsend and three other soldiers were killed in an ambush attack carried out by Afghan police, who turned on U.S. soldiers.

Now, thanks to private donations and help from the community, Townsend will always have a place in his hometown.

"These people have worked so hard, I didn't know if it really was going to happen or not, because it just was so slow and then all of a sudden the cement was down, the electric was here," said Townsend's mother, Katy Nelson.

She said she's in awe of the support for her son.

"It makes me feel very prideful or proud of my son," Nelson said.

9/28/2012 Related Story: Claremore Soldier Killed In Afghanistan Laid To Rest

Townsend's sister said her brother used to take church groups to that same quiet place along Lake Claremore. But she said she hopes the spot will serve as a memorial for all fallen soldiers from the area.

"There is the possibility and there is the ability for anybody else's family in our community, that if we lose anymore soldiers, they can add to the memorial as well," Tucker said.

Townsend's mother said its a blessing and an honor for her and her whole family to have the memorial for him. Nelson said her son's friends from school and church also helped make the memorial project possible.