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WALLACE — After an extensive renovation, the veterans memorial fountain in front of Wallace Town Hall and Police Department was rededicated during a brief ceremony on Friday morning, May 24. The fountain honors Emanuel Pickett, a detective captain with the Wallace PD and a staff sergeant in the Army National Guard, who was killed in Iraq in 2008, as well as other veterans who paid the ultimate price in combat.
Pickett’s family members were in attendance at the ceremony, as well as town officials and a few local residents.
“It is truly a special day for the town of Wallace as we rededicate this fountain today,” said Wallace Mayor Jason Wells.
“This is a project that’s been in the works for a while,” the mayor said of the fountain renovation. “You know, Emanuel meant a lot to this town, both as a police officer who rose to the rank of captain for over 13 years, but also serving in the Army National Guard and making the ultimate sacrifice so we can all continue to live in the land of the free in the greatest country in the world.”
Rob Lapp, interim pastor at Wallace Presbyterian Church gave the invocation, recalling Jesus’ words: “Greater love has no one than this, that they would lay down their life for their friend.”
Harvey Knowles also played the Army anthem and “God Bless America” on the harmonica.
Timberly Southerland, Emanuel’s daughter, stated, “My dad meant a lot to the town and the town meant a lot to him, so to see the town still coming out for him 16 years later, and to be here with his family, it means a lot to us.”
Kem Pickett, Emanuel’s older brother, also spoke during the ceremony, saying that Emanuel was killed on his birthday and he hasn’t celebrated a birthday ever since. “But, we all grew up in Wallace,” he said. “We lived here all our lives. I’m 57 years old. I wish he was here longer.”
Emanuel was killed at the age of 34 in a mortar attack.
Wells remembered that Emanuel always did things quietly without seeking glory or praise. “It speaks to the person he was,” he said, adding that he hoped all those present had “a Memorial Day weekend that is full of joy and family time, but also remember the reason for the holiday.”
