THE LOSS of Sgt. William E. Allmon to enemy action in Baghdad was not the first for Northwest Georgia in the Middle Eastern conflicts nor is it likely to be the last.
Allmon, born and raised in Floyd County until the age of 12, was laid to rest here with Greater Romans paying him the full homage and respect that he deserved as one of the oh-so-many over the centuries who have protected and preserved our way of life and our unique institutions.
No matter how one feels about the present American involvement in the Mideast, and the seeming lack of light at the end of that tunnel, the support for our servicemen and women, and appreciation for the sacrifices that they make for us daily, warrants the highest levels of support.
Allmon was on this second tour of duty in Iraq, just two months short of returning home, when the vehicle in which he was riding was hit by an improvised explosive device. ALL SUCH LOSSES should be saddening not only to family and friends but all of us. Some of them came back and some didn’t. Some returned maimed or marred and some didn’t. All of them did something for this country that not all do. All their sacrifices are made on behalf of all and there are none who do not hold a debt to our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen — and all others who have assigned duties promoting mutual safety.
Most Greater Romans did not know William E. Allmon. All of us know others like him. In this town, and all towns across that land, there are plaques and honor rolls bearing their names, sometimes back to the Revolutionary War. Those, and the white tombstones in row upon seemingly endless row in our national cemeteries, form the backbone of this country.
It often appears too easy for Americans to forget what’s held them upright for the past two-plus centuries. It is William E. Allmon and his brothers and sisters.
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