Dedication Ceremony in Monroe Tuesday Will Honor Local Fallen Hero

The family of Monroe Area High School graduate and local fallen hero, 1^st Lt. Joseph Dennis Helton, Jr., of Monroe, will be on hand, along with officials from the city, county and state Tuesday to honor his sacrifice. Helton was killed in action in Iraq on Sept. 8, 2009. He is the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, a Purple Heart and numerous other decorations.

According to officials, the portion of the road to be dedicated is the stretch from Highway 11 that runs in front of Monroe Area High School, Helton’s alma mater. The name of the road, however, will not be changed. The dedication is scheduled to take place on location, beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, 2013.

Georgia Rep. Bruce Williamson (R-Monroe), who introduced a resolution honoring Helton in the House of Representatives on Jan. 15, 2013, said officials had been working on the plan for a while. Williamson said he had worked with members of the Monroe City Council and Walton County Schools Superintendent Gary Hobbs on the plan.

“The consensus was that the road in front of his alma mater be memorialized in his honor,” Williamson said. He will present the Resolution to the family. Walton County resident Elaine Adcock had suggested the resolution honoring the fallen soldier and Williamson had obtained permission from Helton's mother to arrange it.