Governor Abbott Honors Military Heroes at Texas Fallen Heroes Memorial
Ceremony
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today delivered remarks at the Texas Legislature’s Fallen Heroes
Memorial Ceremony at the State Capitol. The Governor recognized the five Texans who lost their lives
serving in the United States Armed Forces since 2017 and honored all those who have died in military
service since the founding of our nation.
“It is our duty to honor those that died in service to this great nation and sacrificed everything to keep
us free,” said Governor Abbott. “Our fallen military heroes were more than remarkable soldiers. They
were sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, siblings, friends, and members of our communities.
May we use today and everyday as an opportunity to remember our fallen heroes.”
The following heroes were honored in this year’s ceremony:
Army Master Sgt. Jonathan Dunbar of Austin, TX died in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack
in Syria in March 2018.
Army Sgt. Cameron Meddock of Spearman, TX died in a small-arms fire in Afghanistan in January
2019.
Army Specialist Alexander Missildine of Tyler, TX died in an IED attack in Iraq in October 2017.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Lee M. Smith of Arlington, TX died in a non-combat incident in Iraq in
November 2017.
Army Sgt. Allen Levi Stigler Jr. of Arlington, TX died while engaged in combat operations in Iraq in
August 2017.
