Fallen Lockport Soldier's Memorial Vandalized

Albert Ronald Jex was killed in Mosul, Iraq on Feb. 9, 2009. Albert was the first Lockport resident to give his life in Iraq. His parents Cathy MacFarlane and Nelson Jex, gave all for their county with the loss of their son. Now they are grieving the senseless destruction of a Granite Memorial bench placed on Locust St. in front of Ulrich City Center in downtown Lockport. We can complain for days about how senseless this act was; however, what the community needs to do is get that Memorial back in place.

I, as President of AFSCME Local 182, along with our Executive Board pledge $150 toward the cost of getting this done. We ask all other local Labor Unions, Civic Groups, and Friends of our community to join us in this. The Monument was picked up [and] secured at Orleans Monument Company by some concerned citizens Saturday Morning. We will contact them, along with Albert's Family to determine the costs, and details for this to be done.

I feel very bad about this disappointing act by some heartless or ignorant vandal. My sister Cindy is Nelson Jex's long-time girlfriend, and I consider him to be my Brother. I rode with the family on that somber day in February that Albert was laid to rest in Cold Springs Cemetery. My heart was warmed by the huge response of the City of Lockport. The streets were lined with throngs of loving Lockport People paying their respect to Our Fallen Hero, Army Specialist Albert Ronald Jex, one of many Lockport Heroes who gave all.

February 9, 2009, while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Jex was 23. A ssigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cav- alry Division, Fort Hood, Texas, "Specialist Jex was a tremendous soldier. Only the best of the best serve on teams like the Personal Security Team, and that was Albert: all-American, the best of the best," Brig. Gen. Thomas Cole said. Jex was named after his great-uncle Albert Jex, who was killed while in the service of his country.

Please send donations to:

AFSCME Local 182

Niagara County Blue Collar

P.O. Box 738

Lockport, NY 14095

Or call to help 716-425-0827