Franklin County honors fallen soldier, native son with Operation Never Forget bust
From left, Shalene Shmidt and David Stephens, the sister and father of Sgt. Alex Stephens, stand next to an Operation Never Forget bust of the fallen Army field medic who was honored in a ceremony in front of the Franklin County courthouse April 14. Stephens, a native of Franklin County, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. Mike Cunningham, ATA branch manager for human resources, who initiated the process to get Stephens recognized for his sacrifice and military service, spoke at the unveiling. AEDC Commander Col. Michael Brewer, Pat Eagan, ATA support services director, and Dave Uselton, ATA material control supervisor, also spoke at the event. Uselton is an Operation Never Forget (ONF) co-founder and is the ONF regional director. (Photo provided)