Honoring Our Hometown Heroes

FULTON – On Thursday, City of Fulton’s Mayor Rice, along with Donna Kestner and John Young from the Fulton Veteran’s Council, took time out of their busy day to give honor and recognition to two local military careered individuals from our City who both recently graduated from prestigious military colleges and only a short time home before they continue on with their future military plans.

Mayor Rice’s speech:

It is with great pride and deep gratitude that I stand before you today on behalf of a grateful city, and in honor of two extraordinary individuals – our very own hometown heroes – Alexa Patterson and Samuel May.  These service members are not only defenders of our nation, but they are also the sons and daughters of this very soil.

   Their stories began here – in our neighborhoods, our schools, our parks.  They grew up walking our streets, learning from our teachers, volunteering beside us, and cheering in our stadiums.  And when the call came to serve something greater than themselves, they answered without hesitation.  They left behind the comforts of home to uphold the values that define not only our country but this very town – courage, integrity, sacrifice, and service.

   Alexa and Samuel are both the class of 2021 graduates of G. Ray Bodley High School.  Alexa has recently graduated from WestPoint with a degree in management and a minor in systems engineering.  She will be attending Ordnance BOLC@ Ft. Gregg-Adams in Petersburg, VA then onto Post Ft. Sill in Lawton OK.  Samuel graduated from the Citadel Military College of South Carolina as a commissioned 2nd Lieutenant and a U.S. Army branched engineer.  He will be attending the EBOLC (Engineering Basic Officer Leadership Course) at Ft. Leonardwood, MO and has plans to attend Ranger school and Sapper school.

   Their uniforms may bear the insignia of their branches, but their hearts beat with the same rhythm as ours.  And though they have traveled far and wide, they carry with them the spirit of this community — a community that believes in lifting one another up, in standing side by side through hardship, and in never forgetting those who serve.

   Today, we honor them not just for their service in the armed forces, but for reminding us all what it means to give back.  Their sense of duty does not end at the gates of a military base – it lives in their every action, inspiring each of us to be better neighbors, better citizens, and prouder members of this community.

   Let their commitment to service be a reminder that civic duty is not just a responsibility, but a privilege.  Whether it’s serving in uniform, volunteering at a local shelter, mentoring a child, or simply helping a neighbor, each act of kindness strengthens the bonds that hold our community together.

   To Alexa and Samuel – Thank You.  You make us proud not just for what you’ve done, but for who you are.  You remind us that heroes are not born – they are raised, nurtured, and supported by communities like ours.  And we are endlessly grateful to call you our own.  May we all strive to live with the same sense of purpose and pride that you have shown in your service.  And may your example continue to inspire us to build a stronger, kinder, and more united hometown for generations to come.  The City of Fulton will always be a place that sends forth its best – and welcomes them home with open arms.

   James Rice, Mayor

City of Fulton