Currently Browsing: News
Community loses military hero, school graduate
.
Joseph Helton, 1st Lt., United States Air Force, was killed in action in Southern Iraq yesterday. Department of Defense information related that he was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device while on patrol. Helton had just left his most difficult duty in South Baghdad and was in a “less” hostile environment.
He was a 2003 MAHS honor graduate, winning the Atlanta Journal Constitution Award as the Principal’s top Graduate. He was a soccer captain for two years on the winning team, and was All League for three straight years and a JROTC Commander.
Graduating with a 4.2 GPA, Helton won over $1 million in scholarships and opted for the Air Force Academy, where he graduated in 2007 as an Honor Graduate in all three Academy award areas: leadership, academics and athletics, and was top 10 percent of his class.
He opted for the Air Force Security Forces and was assigned to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla. There he volunteered for combat for one year until accepted for assignment as an adviser to the Iraqi Police in Southern Baghdad. He finished that tour and extended for further security forces operations elsewhere.
According to Col. Larry Hoff, the school’s senior Junior Air Force ROTC instructor, Helton epitomized the Air Force professional officer, integrity first, service before self and excellence in all he did.
Helton would have turned 25 this Sept. 30.
September 9th, 2009 at 11:36 am
Joe was a great Officer and great American. He will be deeply missed by his fellow Defenders.
[Reply]
September 9th, 2009 at 11:51 am
God Bless you Lt Helton. You are a hero and have made our country a better and safer place! Thank you for serving and God Bless your family.
[Reply]
September 9th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
I am blessed to say that I knew Joseph. He was a loyal friend and a wonderful human being! His loss is tragic and horrible. This community has truly lost a hero! My heart goes out to his close friends and family! May you be lifted up and surrounded by all that have been touched by your loss! My thoughts and prayers are with you all!
Always Remembered, Forever Missed!
RIP Joseph
[Reply]
September 9th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Our deepest symphony and prayers go out to his Family, he was a True American Hero. They will be in our hearts and prayers in the days ahead. God Bless and Protect All of Our Troops.
[Reply]
September 10th, 2009 at 9:43 am
My prayers go out to his family who I know will deeply miss him, along with so many others. He was a great person and I know he was so important to the Helton family.
[Reply]
September 10th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Are there funeral arrangements for Joseph yet?
[Reply]
September 11th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
I may have only met him once and knew him for a short time but within that time he gained my respect and my friendship…he will be severely missed.
[Reply]