Tennessee awards first Fallen Heroes Medal

photo Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam

NASHVILLE - Gov. Bill Haslam and Veterans Affairs Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder today posthumously awarded Sgt. 1st Class Dennis Murray the first Tennessee Fallen Heroes Medal during a ceremony at the state Capitol.

Murray's mother, Wanda Maxy, accepted the medal on behalf of the Murray family.

"We are grateful and humbled by SFC Murray's heroism and sacrifice," Haslam said. "On behalf of Tennesseans, we want to express appreciation to his family for his service and to let them know he won't be forgotten."

Murray, who grew up in Red Boiling Springs, Tenn., was killed when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device on Nov. 21, 2011, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.

"Four months ago today, we lost a soldier and fellow Tennessean to the war in Afghanistan," Grinder said. "It is important that we never forget our fallen heroes who have given the ultimate sacrifice and the families they leave behind."

Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, and Sen. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, sponsored the bill to honor and recognize service members killed in the line of duty.

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