FRANKLIN—Service to country is being remembered today, Aug. 9, when the Veterans of Foreign Wars 4411 names its new post for Marine Sgt. Jayton D. Patterson.

The son of Sharon and Frank Patterson was born on Aug. 9, 1978, in Franklin, and reared in Sedley. A 1996 graduate of Tidewater Academy, he joined the Marines in 1999. Four years later he married Stephanie Bays, and they had a daughter, Claire, in late 2003. Stationed in Iraq, Patterson was killed in action on Jan. 15, 2005.

The decision to name the post for the young Marine was an easy one, according to Kevin Meyers, post commander, which he has done before. Meyers is a retired Master Chief in the Navy, and served for 30 years.

“It was a combination of things,” he said. “We bought the building 3 to 4 years ago and had been working on it since. As we decided to move, it was brought to our attention that we were eligible to name it after a local hero. This was brought up to the membership. They voted on and it was unanimous.”

The program will be from 11 to 12:30 p.m. which includes a ribbon-cutting ceremony, color guard and presentations to the family. The formal ceremony will be at the former Moose lodge, 3385 Beaverdam Road, which is 3 miles past the airport. The blue building is right below Beaverdam Baptist Church.

Following the dedication, the Silver Street Band will perform.