Knoxville honors fallen soldier Caleb Lufkin with tree, monument dedication

It was nearly 10 years ago to the date today that Private First Class Caleb Lufkin of Knoxville was injured while serving his country. In May of 2006 he passed away.

Almost a decade later, Lufkin’s memory hasn’t been forgotten–a message countless friends, family, teammates and members of the District 202 staff shared at a ceremony at Knoxville High School this afternoon.

The community gathered to dedicate a tree and monument to the soldier who graduated from KHS in 2000 as a baseball star who homered to clinch a conference title for the Blue Bullets that year. 

Lufkin’s coach Mike Kemmer remembered his standout player as a hero.

“Even after these many years, I still remember the quietness that went down the street on Main Street when his progression went by the high school,” Kemmer said fighting back tears. “That memory lives on and it will never be forgotten.”

The memorial sits directly behind the third base dugout as a fitting tribute, following a mishap when an original tree dedicated was removed by accident during construction of the new Knoxville High School. 

Today, the mistake was made right and Lufkin’s mother, Marcy Gorsline thanked the crowd for honoring her son. 

“I have no doubt he will be smiling down upon us,” Gorsline said. “Caleb’s spirit is a part of all of us.” 

Gorsline was joined by a number of Lufkin’s fellow soldiers who came to pay their respects. The ceremony even included a flyover. 

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