In honor of their sacrifice

Special to the Enquirer

The Purple Heart Monument in Hartselle is the home of a new statue. Clifford Gissell, commander of the local chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, said the statue was purchased with donated funds, and another statue will soon join the display at Sparkman Park. This memorial, which depicts a soldier praying for his fallen comrades, faces the monument where all the names are listed. The next addition to come will be the helmet, rifle and boots display that signifies a fallen soldier, most commonly used when a combat unit has a ceremony to recognize their dead after a battle, Gissell said.