RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A war memorial at Midlothian High School was dedicated in honor of one its graduates who died Wednesday.
Air Force Major Charles Ransom is the only known graduate of Midlothian High School to have died in combat. He lost his life while fighting terrorism in Afghanistan in 2011.
Ransom graduated in 1997. Ransom has won several honors, including the bronze star, purple heart and meritorious service medal.
Money for the memorial was raised by one of the high school’s students. Stephanie Olson was a senior last year when she had the idea to create a memorial in memory of her grandfather who died in the Vietnam War when her mother was just 5-months-old.
Stephanie and her mother, Cammie Olson, researched old records and yearbooks before determining that Ransom was the only known graduate to have died in combat.
Ransom’s family was also in attendance for the dedication. His father says he’s very proud of his son and the efforts of the community to help create the memorial.
“He was a young man that was full of life, full of energy,” said Willie Ransom, Charles’ father.
“It just feels so good having all these veterans here and all the support, the support of the community, all the people that came out. It just, it’s heart warming,” said Charles’ brother, Stephen Ransom.
The school says it will continue to add names to the bricks surrounding the memorial to honor veterans and graduates who have passed away.
