“Remembering our Fallen” display honors Lincoln High alumnus Garrison Avery

Garrison Avery, a Lincoln high graduate, is one of many Nebraskans who sacrificed their lives in Iraq.

His mom spoke Thursday about a display honoring him and other victims at her son’s alma mater.

She said it was more than 15-years-ago that Garrison was walking the halls of Lincoln High, studying and training for a future he always knew he wanted.

“When he was ten years he said to us, I want to be in the army, I want to be in the military and I want to go to West Point,” Avery said.

He worked for that goal every day.

“He would run with sacks of sugar in his backpack because he knew when he got to West Point there’d be physical requirements he’d have to meet so he’d practice,” his mom said.

It’s a determination and a tenacity he took with him to West Point and to Iraq, where his life was cut short by a roadside bomb attack. Garrison was 23.

But this week he’s back in Lincoln High, his photo, featured on a display called “Remembering Our Fallen.”

His mom is a teacher at the school and while her son’s name is on a plaque in the entrance, and comes up every once in a while in conversation, walking into the library and seeing the display was bittersweet.

“I didn’t come right here and look at this,” Avery said pointing at Garrison’s picture. “I came and looked around and remembered some of the other people, then I came and remembered Garrison, because there’s a sadness.”

But there’s also pride.

“We were very proud. We are very proud,” She said. “We’re proud of the willingness he had, the dedication he had and the way he went forward to accomplish all things he wanted to do.”

A pride she believes all Lincoln High students and staff should take in.

“For me and my family it’s a personal remembrance and for some of the friends and teachers he had it’s a personal remembrance too, but even if it’s not personal it’s still important,” she said.

This display was started by a Nebraska father who wanted to make sure his son, and others killed in Iraq were never forgotten. It travels around the state visiting different communities and schools. It’ll be at Lincoln High until tomorrow.