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'Our freedom is not free': Peach County school remembering fallen troops

Students, teachers, and visitors were able to see photos and letters of Georgia military women and men who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

PEACH COUNTY, Ga. — In the halls of Byron Elementary School, you'll find a memorial honoring Georgians who died during the War on Terror era from September 2001 to August 2021.

Students, teachers, and parents are making their way through the halls of Byron Elementary to see more than 200 Georgia men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Trish Newton is a teacher at the Elementary School. She served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force.

"September 10 was just a regular day. September 11 changed the world forever," Newton says.

She says she hopes when students see the wall, they will appreciate what servicemembers do to keep our country safe.

"They died for us, and we owe it to them to stand up for the flag, and be proud. Keep this country safe," Newton says. "Our freedom is not free. There's a whole bunch of people who won't trick-or-treat or open up Christmas presents again."

Thomas Bentley serves at the Arnold Air Force base in Tullahoma, Tennessee.

He provides support to families in the military.

Bentley says he wants his son to understand the importance of remembering the fallen.

"They're not forgotten. It's important that we recognize our heroes," Bentley says.

The exhibit is open until Friday, November 4 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Thursday, November 3, the school will have a veterans day event called "Celebrating America's Freedoms."

It's open to the public, and they encourage current or retired military members to attend.

It's happening at 9 a.m. in the school's cafeteria.

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