Community to dedicate stone, tree to fallen soldier

KNOXVILLE, Ill. (AP) - Friends and family of a fallen Knoxville soldier will gather next week for a memorial and tree dedication.

The (Galesburg) Register-Mail reports (http://bit.ly/1VlRZ7u ) the April 23 ceremony will be at the Knoxville baseball field for Army Pfc. Caleb Lufkin.

Lufkin was 24 when he was killed in May 2006 in Iraq after an explosive device blew up near his vehicle.

A tree had been dedicated to Lufkin near the old Jensen Gym, but it was removed when a new building was constructed.

Marcy Gorsline is Lufkin's mother. She says Army friends from as far away as Montana and South Carolina are coming to the event.

Rob Galloway - who headed the project - grew up with and played baseball with Lufkin.