| Lithonia post office renamed to honor fallen hero
by Terrance Kelly
Congressman Hank Johnson, who introduced legislation to have the Lithonia to have the Lithonia post office renamed to honor Jaamal Addison, greets Addison's mother, Patrcia Roberts, as she holds a young family member, Alex Roberts. |
Lithonia’s post office has been transformed into a permanent memorial dedicated to Georgia’s first fallen soldier in the Iraq War, Specialist Jamaal RaShard Addison.
Addison died on March 23, 2003, when his convoy was ambushed. He served with the 507th Army Ordinance Maintenance Company in Fort Bliss, Texas.
Legislation introduced by Georgia Congressman Henry “Hank” Johnson Jr. (4th District) led to the designation of the 29,193-square-foot Lithonia post office at 3035 Stone Mountain Street, as the Specialist Jamaal RaShard Addison Post Office. The building was constructed in 1975.
A combination of elements led to choosing the Lithonia location as the site for the memorial. Addison’s father, Kevin B. Addison, has worked for the US Postal Service for nearly 30 years. His mother, Patricia Roberts lives in the city, and Addison grew up in the DeKalb city.
“My intent was to put a face on this legislation,” Johnson said. “Jamaal Addison was the ideal choice. He left behind a stellar record. He was a brave and noble young man who probably didn’t consider himself a hero, but one who continues to make us proud, and one whose sacrifice should never be taken for granted.”
Many came to a public dedication ceremony Aug. 2 to honor the life and memory of the Lakeside High School graduate.
“He was an American soldier who paid the ultimate price to protect American’s freedom,” commented Brigadier General Maria Britt, Georgia Army National Guard. “War is ugly, but to live under tyranny is worst.”
Kim Roddy, ride captain, spoke for The Patriot Guard Riders, a support group for families of fallen soldiers with over 150,000 members nationwide.
“Jamaal Addison is a true American hero,” Roddy read from a plaque presented to Addison’s family, on behalf of the organization. “We will never forget the fallen soldier who gave his life so others may live in freedom.”
Johnson said, “This is to honor a fallen hero and to pay tribute to all fallen soldiers—those who serve place duty and personal sacrifice above everything else. They are the face of America, along with our police and fire fighters; they are the most selfless among us.”
“History is being made in our city,” added Lithonia Mayor Joyce McKibben. “[Jamaal Addison] reminds me of our Savior. He gave his life so many others may live.”
Addison’s mother attended with her grandson Jamaal Addison II and many other family members.
“This is a great, great honor just to know a building his father worked in, and place where he grew up is now a place his son can come and see his father’s name and his own name,” said Roberts. “My son was a very humble person. I know he’d be smiling just to know so many people appreciate him for who he was.”
Local residents and a host of DeKalb county public officials also attended the afternoon ceremony. Among them were State Representatives Pam Stephenson and Billy Mitchell, Lithonia Chief of Police Willie Rosser, DeKalb County Commissioners Larry Johnson, Burrell Ellis and Stan Watson, and DeKalb County Sheriff Tom Brown. The entire Lithonia City Council, Barbara LeClair, manager of post office operations, two Tuskegee Airmen and local members of The Patriot Guard Riders were also present.
“I knew I wanted to do something to commemorate those fallen during service to our country who were from Georgia,” Johnson said. “The true cost of this war is not in dollars and cents, but in the blood and suffering of those who died and those they left behind.”
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