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Gwinnett County honors fallen soldiers at 22nd annual Memorial Day ceremony

The Brief Gwinnett County held its 22nd annual Memorial Day ceremony honoring fallen service members, including two local soldiers who died within the past year. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan O'Hara, killed in a January helicopter crash, and Specialist Travis Pameni, who died in a noncombat incident in Iraq, were added to the county's Fallen Heroes Memorial. U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff attended the event, emphasizing the importance of honoring those who gave their lives for the country. GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - The Gwinnett County community came together to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, including two local heroes who died in the last year. The sound of taps echoed in a Gwinnett County auditorium; it was a reminder that the freedom we hold so dear is paid for with sacrifice. What we know At Gwinnett County's ceremony on Monday afternoon, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan O'Hara was inducted into the county's Fallen Heroes Memorial. O'Hara grew up in Lilburn and graduated from Parkview High School before he joined the Army. His father was not able to make it to the ceremony but watched online. SEE ALSO: Who is Ryan O'Hara? Black Hawk crew chief in DC midair crash was Georgia high school grad What they're saying "Memorial Day definitely strikes very close to home for all of us," said Gary O'Hara, father of the U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan O'Hara, who died after the Black Hawk helicopter he was in crashed into an American Airlines regional jet near Reagan National Airport in January. Ryan was one of 67 killed. "Today has been a very difficult day. I didn't think Memorial Day would be so traumatic," Gary said. "I almost wish that I had slept through the day." "I'm really appreciative of the service that they put out there today and bringing in the Parkview ROTC that really meant a lot and would have meant a lot to Ryan," Gary said. The other side O'Hara was not the only local hero who is now etched into the memorial. He's joined by U.S. Army National Guard Specialist Travis Pameni who died in July in a non-combat-related incident in Iraq. "We hope that it does help the families. That's what it was meant to and gives the people the honor they deserve," said Ron Buice, Gwinnett Fallen Heroes Memorial co-founder. Local perspective This was the 22nd annual Memorial Day ceremony in Gwinnett County. U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff joined county leaders because he believes we need to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. "It's too little understood that Memorial Day is not just a long weekend for pleasure, but it's the day when we pause to remember and honor those who have given their lives in defense of our country," Sen. Ossoff said. What's next The memorial sits near the Gwinnett County justice center. Gary says he plans to make a trip here with his wife to honor his son. SEE ALSO: Metro Atlanta honors those who died for their country on Memorial Day Roswell Rotary Club marks 26th year of honoring POWs, MIAs and the fallen Widow honors fallen heroes with flowers at Georgia National Cemetery Shepherd's Men march 12 miles to honor veterans, raise funds for SHARE program Memorial Day ceremonies, events in metro Atlanta, North Georgia | May 2025 The Source FOX 5's Tyler Fingert spoke with Gary O'Hara, father of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan O'Hara for this article.