The Columbus East Alumni Association will honor the late U.S. Army Sgt. Jonathon M. Hunter by adding him to the high school’s Alumni Wall of Fame as the sole honoree.
Hunter will be recognized during a 4:15 p.m. Saturday reception in the lobby off the main entrance of Columbus East High School, with the award presented during halftime of the 4:45 p.m. East boys basketball game against Franklin. Halftime is expected to begin at about 5:15 p.m.
Hunter, 23, of Columbus, was killed Aug. 2 in an attack on a NATO convoy near the southern Afghanistan city of Kandahar. He was a 2011 graduate of Columbus East High School. He died more than three years after entering the Army, with his first deployment — to Afghanistan — beginning July 1 of last year.
“Sgt. Hunter paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. He was a decorated war hero and the association felt strongly that his contributions to our country be honored,” said Chuck Wells, president of the Columbus East Alumni Association.
The association evaluates alumni nominations for contributions in professional achievements, honors or awards received; community service; meritorious contributions to society; or in memoriam for death in the line of duty.
