Please Line Hwy. 121 In Honor of Jesse Tilton & Karen Clifton – Wednesday, July 20, 2022
This Wednesday, July 20, 2022 the Mt. Zion families of Jesse Tilton and Karen Clifton will be welcoming a Torch Ride by the Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Northwest. They will pay tribute to Jesse and Karen’s families at the Mt. Zion Fletcher Park at about 4:15 p.m. in front of the Fletcher Park Recreation Center. Citizens & businesses are being asked to stand along Route 121 and to the entrance of Fletcher Park. Posting of American Flags is welcomed.
Local riders are encouraged to join the ride from Coziahr’s to Fletcher Park. Currently, the group is scheduled to enter via Route 51 North and should be at Coziahr about 3:40 pm. It will then turn East on Route 36 and continue to Hwy. 121. They will turn south on 121 and will meet the families at Fletcher Park. Expected time is 4:15pm. Updates of the timeline will be posted on the Cruise 11 to Remember 911 Facebook page.
The Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Northwest reaches out to Gold Star Families and offers to have their ride stop in tribute to their fallen family member. Warren Williamson of the group says, “we do not ask for anything from the locals or the families. We travel from Oregon to Arlington to honor those that have provided our freedoms.” This year’s ride left Oregon on July 9 and plans to be at Arlington on August 7.
In memory of Jesse Tilton and Karen Clifton:
Sgt. Jesse Richard Tilton, 23, of Long Creek, serving with the 508th Regiment, 82nd Airborne, U.S. Army in Afghanistan passed away on July 16, 2010 in the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Frankfurt, Germany from injuries sustained while heroically tending to a fellow soldier during a battle in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
His Awards and Decorations include, the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal and the Combat Medic Badge.
Army Crpl. Karen Nicole Clifton, 22 of Mt Zion was killed on June 21, 2007. She attended Mt. Zion schools through her junior year and was active in the Mt. Zion Police Department Explorer’s Program. She moved to Florida in her senior year and finished her high school education. She then returned to Illinois and enlisted in the U.S. Army to begin a career with the Military Police. She currently was serving her country and obtained the rank of Specialist in the 544th MP CO, Forward Platoon, 630th MP CO, 759th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade, U.S. Army, serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She has been posthumous promoted to the rank of Corporal and has been awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.
Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Northwest began this incredible journey of honoring and paying tribute to America’s fallen service members back in the summer of 2009. This journey began in the state of Oregon. During those early years, the State of Oregon had more than 120 fallen service members throughout the state. It was our ambition to honor each one of these fallen service members to graciously acknowledge their service and sacrifice and to remind each Gold Star family their fallen service member wasn’t forgotten.
MISSION STATEMENT; As everyday American’s, we graciously extend our heartfelt gratitude to the families of every fallen soldier and it’s our pledge to let them know their fallen hero will never be forgotten.
Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Northwest began this incredible journey of honoring and paying tribute to America’s fallen service members back in the summer of 2009. This journey began in the state of Oregon. During those early years, the State of Oregon had more than 120 fallen service members throughout the state. It was our ambition to honor each one of these fallen service members to graciously acknowledge their service and sacrifice and to remind each Gold Star family their fallen service member wasn’t forgotten.
More about the Riders: (www.tributetofallensoldiers.com). Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Northwest is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.
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