SSG Ryan Knauss is a hometown hero and one of the final casualties of the War in Afghanistan. The Fountain City Park is only a short distance from his family home and was recently turned over to the management of the city of Knoxville. The park, as part of the change to public management, is undergoing work/maintenance to improve the grounds making it an opportune time to install a monument. As a community we should recognize his sacrifice protecting our country, allies and the citizens of Afghanistan. The community would like to commentate him in a permanent fashion to show our appreciation for him and the family he leaves behind recognizing his life's work. SSG Knauss exemplified the values of our state as a volunteer and our values as a nation as a soldier.