Stretch of Road in Front of MAHS to be Dedicated to Monroe Fallen Hero

Monroe City Council officials announced at Tuesday’s called council meeting that plans are under way to dedicate a portion of Double Springs Church Road in honor of 1^st Lt. Joseph Dennis Helton, Jr., of Monroe. 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 passed Monroe Area High School, Helton’s alma mater. The name of the road, however, will not be changed.

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, adding that Monroe City Administrator Matthew Chancey was working with WCPS to set a date for an unveiling ceremony. Helton’s family will be in attendance. “I will present the resolution at the ceremony when a date has been set.”

Williamson said he Walton County resident Elaine Adcock had suggested the resolution honoring the fallen soldier and he had obtained permission from Helton's mother to arrange it.