PEARCY -- A flag that has flown over the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan was recently presented to the Lake Hamilton High School JROTC program in honor of U.S. Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer Adam Brown, an alumnus of the school.
Brown was killed in action in Komar province, Afghanistan, on March 17, 2010, as his special ops team was assaulting an enemy compound.
"I wanted to show respect to an individual that accomplished extraordinary things through his faith in God and with the love and support of his family," said Kevin Yeagle, who made the presentation.
The flag, which was presented to Lt. Col. Myra Shepherd, senior army instructor of the school's JROTC program, was flown in Brown's honor on March 17 at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan.
"It is an honor and a privilege to be part of the effort to keep the ideals of Brown's selfless service alive. Because the mission of JROTC is to motivate young people to be better citizens, teaching and developing the character traits that enabled Adam Brown's selfless service and ultimate sacrifice are foundational to what we do," Shepherd said.
Yeagle, who is currently a protective security specialist and member of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul's emergency response team as a private contractor, said the presentation held deep meaning for him, as well.
"It means a great deal to me. My wife, Ronda, teaches at Lake Hamilton, and has taught his children. Men such as Adam are role models for a myriad of reasons. He certainly should be, and I hope, holds a place of honor among the people of Hot Springs, and our nation as a whole. I felt that by flying the American flag 'in the face of our enemy' on the anniversary of his death, and in the country that sacrifice was made, would be a fitting way to honor him, while hopefully inspiring future JROTC members to strive for excellence, also," Yeagle said.
Brown has been memorialized and honored throughout the county, including an 8-foot tall statue at the Garland County Veterans Memorial and Military Park, the underwater memorial Fearless Rock in Lake Ouachita, the renaming of the downtown post office to the Chief Petty Officer Adam Brown United States Post Office in 2016, the annual Adam Brown Shamrock Run/Walk 5K at the school, and the renaming of the road that bisects the Lake Hamilton School District campus to Adam Brown Road.
The flag is currently kept in the JROTC leadership lab classrooms, "where an appropriate display place will be identified," Shepherd said.
"His story is a testament to the bravery, perseverance, service, and ultimate sacrifice he made that leaves a lasting legacy of courage and commitment. We consider it a well-deserved honor that this flag was flown in memory of his sacrifice and proudly represents the ongoing efforts to fight global terrorism and secure justice, liberty, and the American way of life."
Local on 06/30/2019