PHOTOS: Trussville war hero honored with bronze bust in Civitan Park

By Erica Thomas, managing editor

TRUSSVILLE — A fallen soldier from Trussville was honored with a bronze bust sculpture, through the Alabama Fallen Warriors Project.

Crowd gathered for the unveiling of the Sgt. Jason Stegall bronze bust in Trussville’s Civitan Park. Photo: Tony Berenotto.

The City of Trussville, led by the new Veterans’ Committee, presented the bust of Army Sgt. Jason Stegall, of Trussville, during a ceremony on Sunday, May 30, 2021, at Civitan Park.

Stegall, the husband of Ashley Cox Stegall, died while serving his country on Dec. 14, 2009. Stegall was deployed 15 months during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, two Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star with “V” for valor.

Funds for the bust were raised by the Trussville Rotary Club, Keller Williams-Trussville, and Vets4Vets.

Those instrumental in planning and presenting the tribute were Mayor Buddy Choat, the Trussville City Council, and Mark Davis of Vet4Vets, as well as Veterans’ Committee members Chad Carroll, president; Linda Burns, secretary; Jaime Anderson, Trussville City Council liaison; John Griscom and Jim Wolfe.

The family of Stegall, as well as members of the America Legion SSG Michael W Hosey Post 205, were on hand for the unveiling of the bust. Legion Commander Tony Berenotto provided photos from the event.

Approximately 120 Alabamians have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the Military Times database, and the Alabama Fallen Warrior Project was created to honor their memories and sacrifices.

Mark Davis, the founder of the Alabama Fallen Warriors Project, has a goal of raising funds to create a bronze bust for every Alabama veteran that has been killed since the events of 9/11.  These busts will be installed in a place of honor where the community will be able to remember the fallen and contemplate the sacrifice that was made.

The bust was sculpted by Col. Lee Busby and was bronzed at the University of Alabama.