CORNELIUS, OR (KPTV) -
Two families came together to honor two brave men who sacrificed their lives for their country.
The Cornelius community and state leaders held a dedication ceremony yesterday to rename the city's Arboretum Park as Veterans Memorial Park.
They honored Navy hospitalman Ryley Gallinger-Long and Pfc. Ken Leiston, along with other brave members of the armed services.
Gallinger-Long, 19, was killed in August 2011 in Afghanistan. Family members said he was shot in the leg while tending to a wounded Marine.
Leiston, 20, was serving in the Oregon Army National guard when he was killed in July 2004 in Iraq by a roadside bomb.
More than 100 people were expected to attend the dedication, including Oregon Senator Bruce Starr, Oregon State Representative Katie Eyre Brewer, as well as several high ranking military officials, local police and fire companies.
Gallinger-Long's brother, Zach, spoke at the ceremony: "It's very nice to be able and come to a community location and have other people share in the memory of a sacrifice. Not just of my brother but of all veterans that have served in the military."
Gallinger-Long's family says they also want to fill the Veterans Memorial Park with benches and memorials for other fallen heroes.
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