For Release: Nov. 12, 2007
Contact: J. Tucker Martin or David Clementson
Email: tucker.martin@oag.state.va.us or dclementson@oag.state.va.us
Phone: 804-786-2071
Veterans Day Observed at Virginia Wall of Honor
Memorial Pays Tribute to Virginians Killed in Global War on Terrorism
Richmond – A Veterans Day ceremony was held today at Virginia’s Wall of Honor, located in the main lobby of the Office of the Attorney General.
The Wall of Honor was unveiled this past May, and pays tribute to Virginians lost in the Global War on Terrorism, from the bombing of the USS Cole on Oct. 12, 2000 to the present.
Participating in today’s event were Attorney General Bob McDonnell, Master Trooper Darrell Bowling of Martinsville, and the Reverend Kate Jenkins of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Richmond.
In attendance at the ceremony were two local families of individuals on the wall: Mr. & Mrs. Maris Adcock, Mechanicsville, parents of CPT Shane T. Adcock; and Mr. John Clodfelter, Mechanicsville, father of Hull Technician 2nd Class Kenneth E. Clodfelter. Joe Clodfelter, Kenneth’s brother, also attended today’s event.
At the ceremony the Attorney General and Master Trooper Darrell Bowling laid a wreath at the Wall in honor of fallen Virginians. Trooper Bowling is the father of Corporal Jonathan Bowling of Martinsville. Jonathan Bowling was killed in an enemy ambush in Al-anbar Province, Iraq on Jan. 26, 2005. Today’s event concluded with a prayer by Reverend Kate Jenkins, and a moment of silence.
“The Wall of Honor serves as a constant reminder that brave young Americans are defending our country all across the world,” McDonnell said. “As we commemorate Veterans Day we remember those we have lost, thank all those who have served, and keep in our prayers all those who are serving today. I hope all Virginians will get the opportunity to stop by and look into the faces of the heroes on the Wall of Honor. Their sacrifices have preserved our freedoms, and they will never be forgotten.”
CPT Shane T. Adcock, a graduate of Atlee High School and Longwood College, was serving with the 3rd Brigade 25th Infantry Division when he died from injuries sustained from enemy grenade fire Oct. 11, 2006, in Hawijah, Iraq.
Hull Technician 2nd Class Kenneth E. Clodfelter served on the Norfolk-based Navy destroyer USS Cole. The USS Cole was anchored in Yemen when it was bombed by terrorists Oct. 12, 2000, killing 17 sailors.
Currently 138 Virginians are memorialized on the Wall of Honor. Plans are underway for about 18 other Virginians to be added to the Wall in mid-January of 2008. These are Virginians killed in the Global War on Terrorism following the official dedication of the Wall in May. The list is currently being confirmed by military officials prior to inclusion on the Wall.
The Attorney General’s family has a history of military service. His father, John F. McDonnell, retired as a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force after serving in World War II with an 8th Air Force bomber squadron in England. Attorney General McDonnell served 21 years in the U.S. Army, both active duty and reserve, retiring as a Lt. Colonel. The Attorney General’s daughter, Jeanine, returned last year from serving a tour of duty in Iraq as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. She was a platoon leader serving at the Camp Victory command center in Baghdad as a Signal Corps Officer.
