Bowling Green, Ky. - With three new granite panels at the Guthrie Tower, Western Kentucky University and the Guthrie family are honoring 32 more individuals for their military service.

"Freedom is not free," WKU President Gary Ransdell said Thursday in a ceremony at the Mass Media and Technology Hall Auditorium. "We owe the freedom we enjoy to these individuals."

The granite etchings, which join several others at the tower, include photos of WKU alumni and friends who have distinguished themselves with service to our country.

The tower, made possible by a gift from the Lowell Guthrie family and Trace Die Cast, Inc., was built in memory of Guthrie's brother, Sgt. 1st Class Robert Guthrie who was killed in the Korean War, and all those who lost their lives in service to this country.

State Sen. Brett Guthrie said his family has received numerous cards and letters of thanks and appreciation since the tower was dedicated in 2002. Guthrie said his grandmother had always wanted her son Robert remembered for the sacrifice he made. "I know this is something that she would be very proud of," he said.

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell thanked the Guthrie family for the contributions they've made to the community and for including his father, the late Sgt. Addison Mitchell McConnell, on one of the panels. "I appreciate you adding his World War II photograph to the display," he said. "It means a lot to me personally."

McConnell also reminded those in attendance about the accomplishments of troops currently serving in Iraq. Two of those honored on the panels, Spc. Adam Ritter and Spc. Tonya Shur, are on active duty in Iraq.

"We applaud them all," McConnell said.

The ceremony was videotaped for those serving in Iraq and a wreath was placed at the statue of Robert Guthrie.

Honorees include the following:

From the U.S. Army: Sgt. Robert Cody Butler, Col. Sidney Carpenter, Gen. John Keane, the late Sgt. Addison Mitchell McConnell, Spc. Adam Ritter, Sgt. Lee Robertson, Spc. Tonya Shur, Spc. 5th Class John Strode, Spc. 4th Class Wendell Strode, Pfc. William Strode, the late Sgt. Joe Strode, Col. Elliott Sydnor Jr., and the late Brig. Gen. Herb Wassom.

From the U.S. Air Force: Brig. Gen. Daniel Cherry, Gen. Russell Dougherty, Brig. Gen. Kenneth Fleenor and Col. Ed Stansbury.

From the U.S. Navy: Chief Petty Officer Michael Bardin, Lt. Frank Blackburn, Lt. Chris Guthrie, Lt. j.g. Leon Page, LTC Charles Ruter, Boatswain Mate Jesse Montgomery, 2nd Class Gunner's Mate Frank Strode and Commissary 3rd Class Randall Strode.

From the U.S. Marine Corps: Sgt. Jack Eversole, the late Maj. Howell Thomas Heflin Sr., Gunnery Sgt. Greg Hudson, Maj. Gen. Jerry Humble, Sgt. Jackie Strode, Cpl. Wayne Strode and Col. Terry Wilcutt.

More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

For information, contact Governmental Relations at (270) 745-4586.