Chapter 758
Memorial Ceremony For:
PFC Anthony Simmons
PFC Brandon King
Memorial Day - 05/30/2011
Clarence T. Farris, commander for the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter
758, present plaques to Renee Miller,
Mother of PFC. Anthony Simmons, and to Freda King, Mother of PFC. Brandon King.
(AMANDA NALLEY/Democrat)
By Amanda
Nalley • DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER • Published: May 31. 2011 2:00AM
It's been less than a year since Army soldiers Pfc. Brandon King and Pfc.
Anthony Simmons died serving their country in Afghanistan. Both soldiers
posthumously received Purple Hearts for their sacrifice, and on Memorial Day,
plaques given by the Military Order of the Purple Heart were presented to their
mothers.
It's been less than a year since Army soldiers Pfc. Brandon King and Pfc.
Anthony Simmons died serving their country in Afghanistan. Both soldiers
posthumously received Purple Hearts for their sacrifice, and on this Memorial
Day, plaques given by the Military Order of the Purple Heart were presented to
their mothers.
"I feel blessed to be here and honored that they are honoring my son and Brandon
King," said Renee Miller, Simmons' mother, at the ceremony in the Capitol
courtyard.
A crowd of about 50 attended the event, which included the presentation of two
plaques, both bearing a photo of the fallen soldiers.
"We have a motto in the Purple Heart, all gave some, but some gave all," said
Washington Sanchez, Senior Vice Commander of the Florida Military Order of the
Purple Heart. "These two young adults gave their lives for this country so we
could enjoy the freedoms we do."
"I know how tragic it is for a family," he said, mentioning that soldiers who
received a Purple Heart were likely in a conflict where other soldiers possibly
died.
"For our family, it's like yesterday. It hasn't gotten easier," said King's
mother, Freda King. "I'm very happy he hasn't been forgotten. I really
appreciate that."
Simmons, a 25-year-old Tallahassee native and Godby High School graduate, was
killed by indirect fire July 8 in Afghanistan.
King, 23, attended Tallahassee Community College before joining the Army in
September 2009. He was killed by a sniper July 14 in Afghanistan.
Both soldiers were in the 101st Airborne Division.
During the Memorial Ceremony, Washington Sanchez and Cleveland Thomas Jr., members of the Military Order of the
Purple Heart, salute the flag during a ceremony in which the Chapter gave plaques to the mothers of fallen soldiers
Pfc. Brandon King and Pfc. Anthony Simmons. (AMANDA NALLEY/Democrat)
Florida Department Senior Vice
Commander and past Chapter 758 Commander, MOPH Washington Sanchez, pause for a
picture with Gold Star Mother Renee Miller of PFC. Anthony Simmons, and Gold
Star Mother Freda King of PFC. Brandon King.
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