The mercury edged the century mark as more than 100 patriots gathered on the eastern lawn of the Llano County Courthouse at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 24, for the unveiling of a new monument to Llano County’s native sons.

The inscription reads “In Honor of All Fallen Heroes of the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars on Terror Lest They Be Forgotten” and the first two names are from the ranks of the U.S. Army -- Major Tommy Bostick, Jr., 27 July 2007 and Sergeant Mark Stone, 28 April 2008.

“It is a monument to the millions of soldiers who have represented our county in the armed services and made the supreme sacrifice,” said Llano County Judge Wayne Brascom who presided over the dedication

“We want to thank you so much for what your sons did,” he told the family members present, his voice choked with tears.

They included Donald Stone of Midland, father of Sergeant. Stone; Tommy and Ann Bostick, Sr. of Llano, Major Bostick's father and stepmother; Jim and Brenda Richardson, his stepfather and mother, and Jennifer and Ashlie Bostick, his widow and daughter. His daughter Jessica could not attend.

The polished black granite monument that stands three feet high and two feet wide was the inspiration of Major Bostick’s mother.

Llano Alderwoman LaNell McKinney read a statement on behalf of the Bostick family, adding their regret that Sergeant Stone’s death in Iraq required that his name had to be added so soon.

She spoke of his love of Llano as the town he had come to call "home" and referred to peace talks in which Major Bostick had participated as the driving force for his seeking to return for the additional tour of duty to Afghanistan in which he lost his life.

“This war is sometimes made political, but I guarantee the freedoms for which it is fought should not be taken for granted,” said Major Stephen Ruth, of the 2-2 Infantry, Ft. Hood, Major Bostick’s friend and first company commander after he completed his officer training at the U. S. Military Academy.

“Tommy would tell the young people here to find your own, special, unique way you are going to give back to our community, your state, your country,” he said. “Climbing that ladder, as he did, with one hand up and one hand back to help the next person.”

His thanks to the family were conveyed from the “President of the United States, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Army.” More messages were conveyed by Judge Brascom from President and Mrs. George W. Bush, from state officials and, in the form of a proclamation, from Governor Rick Perry.

Both soldiers were recalled again on Monday when Brascom spoke before Memorial Day services sponsored in Kingsland by the Highland Lakes Honor Guard.