Chelsea L. McGowan
cmcgowan@weatherforddemocrat.com
Dozens of celebrations will be held next week as Parker County celebrates Independence Day. In Willow Park, though, July 4th will also see the unveiling of a public park named in memory of Pfc. Paul Balint Jr., a 22-year-old resident of that city killed during active duty in Iraq.
According to published reports, Balint died Dec. 15, 2006, of injuries suffered when his unit came in contact with the enemy using small arms fire during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, in Friedberg, Germany.
Hale Alderman, a second-term councilman and Mayor Pro Tem of Willow Park, has long led the march for his city to recognize its fallen son.
“Back in 2006, when we got word, we had people fly their flags at half-mast in his honor,” Alderman said. “As time went on, I realized that this young man was the only one we had from here that died in Iraq. We needed to do something.”
That “something” took on the form of a memorial arbor, to be placed in the park near City Hall.
“I wanted to get something permanent, so we started raising funds,” Alderman said. “There will be a sign that identifies the park as ‘Pfc. Paul Balint Jr. Memorial Park,’ and it will all be unveiled and dedicated on July 4th.”
Alderman said while other patriotic events will happen that Saturday, his focus will remain on honoring the memory of “this brave young man.”
“Paul left a very committed mother and father, and he has family coming in from all over to attend this dedication,” he said. “State Rep. Phil King (R-Weatherford) will be presenting a legislative resolution to his parents that day.”
Himself a 27-year Air Force veteran, Alderman said he feels such recognition is simply “the right thing to do.”
“If someone is inspired by Paul, or what we’re doing for him, that’s great,” Alderman said. “But that’s not why I’m doing it. I don’t think I’m inspirational to anyone, at all. I just like to do what’s right. And this is purely to honor his memory and what he did for us.”
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