Community honors Chris Scott

    TYRONE—One year after Spc. Chris Scott was killed in Afghanistan, the community came together to remember him and dedicate a memorial garden in his name, Sunday, Sept. 9.
    Scott joined the army soon after he graduated from Dundee high school in 2009. He was assigned to the 561st Military Police Company, 716th Military Police Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade. Scott was stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky. in May 2010. He was deployed in July 2011 to Kandahar, Afghanistan, where he made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.
    The memorial garden is located in Tyrone, on Route 23 next to the Tyrone town hall. Supervisory Gary Jackson said the town has been planning the garden for about six months. There were nearly 40 people present for the dedication, which included the Montour Falls Color Guard, Crystal Valley Drummer and Pipers, Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning), Sen. Tom O’Mara (R, C-Big Flats), and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R, C-Corning). One of the speakers was Major William E. Croft, a Dundee graduate who was present at Scott’s induction into the U.S. Army.
    “Despite being two decades apart, many experiences we had were similar,” said Croft.
    He added he still remembers first hearing about Scott’s death. He explained, “I can’t describe the feeling.”
    “It seems everyone’s life Chris touched left a lasting mark,” said Croft.
    Reed added that Scott, and many others, “stood up for us in the world to make sure freedom and the United States of America forever be free.” He added that each and every one of them “will not be forgot by the country.”
    Reed said the memorial garden offers a place to come and remember the service Scott provided. Palmesano added that it was a space people could take the younger generation and provide someone to look up to, a role model.
    “The service and sacrifice of loved ones won’t be forgotten,” he said.
    O’Mara added that the one year anniversary of Scott’s death is now followed by the 11th anniversary of 9-11. He said it was “why Chris was there (in Afghanistan).”