A tribute is scheduled this weekend in memory of a fallen soldier from Hunt County.
United States Army Staff Sgt. Shawn Henry McNabb was killed in a 2009 helicopter crash while serving in Afghanistan.
His father, Hunt County Justice of the Peace David McNabb, will be honored during a ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday at Ford High School in Quinlan.
Judge McNabb is inviting the public to attend the event, which is expected to include the participation of more than 200 motorcycle riders from across North Texas, during the inaugural Texas Tribute To Fallen Soldiers Motorcycle Ride.
The community of Poetry rests along the Hunt/Kaufman County line. Shawn McNabb was one of five individuals who attended Terrell High School who died while serving their country overseas and who are included on a memorial in the city as “The Terrell Five.”
However Judge McNabb, a former Greenville fireman, said the family has always lived on the Hunt County side of the line and he wanted that recognized.
“I think it would be nice for my community to have a hero,” he said. “I am doing this for my son, to honor him.”
Shawn McNabb, 24, was among 14 Americans killed in helicopter crashes on Oct. 26, 2009.
McNabb joined the Army after graduating from Terrell High School in 2003. He was stationed at Hunter Army Air Field in Savannah, Ga. and served in the 160th Special Operations Air Regiment (SOAR) Third Battalion as an Airborne Combat Flight Medic.
Saturday’s ceremony is part of a two-day ride across North Texas, being conducted during Armed Forces Weekend by Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Northwest, which intends to pay tribute to 14 soldiers killed from the region, along with their Gold Star families.
The public is invited to join in the ride procession, which is scheduled to depart from Dallas Harley-Davidson, 1334 West Centerville Road in Garland at 7 a.m. Saturday.
Those wanting additional information about the ride can send an email to warren@tributetofallensoldiers.com, or can call 541-570-2318, or visit the organization’s web site at tributetofallensoldiers.com.