A fallen soldier’s name is memorialized along Highway 169 in Owasso and Collinsville in a naming dedication ceremony, involving state dignitaries and the soldier’s wife.
The Oklahoma Army National Guard’s 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s sniper, Spc. Christopher D. Horton was killed in Afghanistan’s Paktia province on September 9th, 2011. His wife, Jane Horton, is working to make sure his sacrifice is never forgotten.
“When you lose the love of your life, you can't tell them that you love them any more, you can't hold them,” said Mrs. Horton. “There is nothing you can do for them but represent them well on this earth and do things to preserve their memory here. He gave his life for me.”
Earlier this year, Senator Rick Brinkley befriended Mrs. Horton and the two have become close. Senator Brinkley asked Jane if she would want to have part of Highway 169 named after her husband and two other fallen soldiers from Owasso and Collinsville, Sgt. Schuyler B. Patch, and Sgt. Andrew R. Looney.
Jane loved the idea. Spc. Horton’s section is from 106th to 116th. Sgt. Patch’s section will be from 86th to 96th, and Sgt. Looney will be from 96th to 106th.
“Jane is very driven to make sure all the fallen soldiers are remembered,” said Major General Rita Aragon of the Oklahoma Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs. “I think that is heroic in itself.”
Thursday also marks the one year anniversary of the last time she spoke with Spc. Horton over the phone.
“I talked to him and he was fine, two days later I got the knock at the door,” said Mrs. Horton.
From that knock, to the new sign along Highway 169, she will never stop reminding us of his sacrifice.
In early October, another one of the two fallen Owasso and Collinsville soldiers will have his name dedication ceremony.
