A crowd of more than 400 gathered this morning outside the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center for the dedication of 550 commemorative pavers on Heritage walk.

Mary Wildes and her husband Clint Wildes traveled from their home in Louisiana to attend the 11 a.m. ceremony. Their son Pfc. Matthew Wildes was killed last August while serving in Afghanistan.

Shortly after the 18-year-old private's death, an online group consisting of military moms of which Mary Wildes is a member raised enough money to purchase a paver in his honor. It was a gesture that came from strangers and one the Wildes' will never forget.

For more stories from Monday's paver ceremony, please read tomorrow's Ledger-Enquirer.