The Franklin News-Post
P. O. Box 250
310 Main Street, SW
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
540-483-5113
Fax: 540-483-8013
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Photo by Charles Boothe:
Rep. Robert Hurt made the presentation of the annual Patriot Award posthumously Tuesday night to Cpl. Jared Kubasak, who was killed in Iraq in 2005. From left are Hurt, Vanessa and Mike Carter, who donated the medal, Kerry Wood, a family friend, Daina and Darel Kubasak, parents of the fallen soldier, and Rol Walters, chairman of the Rocky Mount Rotary Club’s Patriot Award committee. |
Friday, July 6, 2012
By CHARLES BOOTHE - Staff Writer
Fifth District Congressman Robert Hurt (R-Chatham) presented the 9th annual Franklin County Patriot Award posthumously to the parents of fallen soldier Corporal Jared Kubasak Tuesday night.
The ceremony took place at the Rocky Mount Rotary Club's Independence Day Festival on the Franklin County High School football field.
Kubasak, the son of Daina and Darel Kubasak of Rocky Mount, enlisted in the Army in 2000 after graduating from Franklin County High School. He was serving with the 3rd Army Cavalry Regiment in Iraq and was killed when the Bradley Fighter Vehicle he was riding in ran over an improvised explosive device (IED) near Baghdad on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005.
He earned the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Expeditionary Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal.
Hurt praised the sacrifice made by Cpl. Kubasak and other soldiers who have died to preserve freedom.
"It is because of them that we have the freedom to celebrate like we are today," he said.
Cpl. Kubasak's parents accepted the medal, and Daina Kubasak told the crowd that everyone owes gratitude to all soldiers who have and are continuing to fight for freedom.
Hurt asked for a moment of silence for the first Patriot Award recipient, Charles D. Santrock, who passed away last week, and for Dr. John Echternach Jr., a Boones Mill volunteer firefighter who died Monday.
Echternach died from injuries received during Friday night's windstorm when he stopped to help other motorists push a tree from U.S. 220.
Hurt also recognized Rol Walters, the Rotarian who chairs the Patriot Award committee, and Mike and Vanessa Carter of Carter's Fine Jewelry for their donation of the medal.
The annual festival drew one of its largest crowds in recent years, estimated at 8,000, as the hot weather gave way to a cloud cover and lower temperatures.
Two bands, the Hollow Springs Band and Groova Scape, provided the music, and as usual, food vendors were kept busy.
The event was free and members of the Rotary club sold raffle tickets to raise money for local charities. Proceeds this year will be shared by the Southern Virginia Child Advocacy Center (CASA), Boy Scouts of America, Children's Miracle Network and the Franklin County YMCA.
The festival was capped off with the traditional fireworks display.
Lisa Nichols was the winner of the top cash prize of $5,000 in the Rotary club's main raffle. |
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