Nearly two years after their son gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country, a Weatherford family is being remembered on Armed Forces Weekend.
Naval Petty Officer, Second Class Clayton Beauchamp was 21-years-old and only three months into his first deployment in Afghanistan when he was killed by a roadside bomb.
“My son, he chose his path,” said his father, Jack Beauchamp, of Weatherford. “He knew what he wanted out of life. He went after it and if he had to do it again — he’d take the same path again.”
On Sunday, the Beauchamp family’s service and loss was honored by a group of strangers.
A group from the West Coast, called “Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Northwest,” celebrated its annual Texas Tribute — a motorcycle ride with volunteers, veterans and first responders to honor the families of fallen soldiers.
They made 16 individual stops over the weekend in the DFW Metroplex, presenting each family with a ceremony and a plaque commemorating their son or daughter’s service.
“That’s our mission — just to come out here and say thank you,” said executive director Warren Williamson.
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Jack Beauchamp said the ceremony brings painful memories, but also hope.
“We’re not going to let our fallen soldiers be forgotten,” he said. “We’re just not going to allow it to happen.”
The Beauchamps said they’re working toward building a veterans memorial site in Weatherford to honor fallen military members in Parker County.
