Fallen Sept. 11 soldier will be honored at event

Their home is filled with snapshots of Maj. Stephen Long's life.

In the hallway is a frame containing all his medals - more than 10 of them, including two purple hearts and a bronze service star.

In the living room is an enlarged copy of a picture taken while he was overseas. Not seen in the enlargement is a tape recorder he was using to record messages to send back to Tina, his wife.

And On the dining table is the flag presented to Tina after his death. Maj. Long was killed during the terrorist attacks on the Pentagon while attending a meeting for a co-worker. He normally worked at a separate building.

For all those reasons, organizers of the Second Annual Red, White and Blue Veterans Celebration have decided to honor Long on Saturday.

Tina will be joined by family members at the event to help recognize Stephen.

"It hurts me to bring everything back but I have to support of family and friends," Tina said. "If it weren't for him, I don't know if I would go this year."

Long started his military career in 1981 when began he infantry training and basic airborne course at Fort Benning, Ga. From there he was assigned to Fort Lewis in Washington. He earned his first medal after jumping into the island of Grenada in 1983.

He was then selected for a three year ROTC Scholarship and was allowed to attend college. He chose Augusta State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.

Tina said Stephen continued his military career after graduation but also started working on his Masters degree and hoped to one day get a Doctorate and teach at Augusta State.

"He loved Augusta State," she said. "He was so grateful for that to be the beginning of his education."

Tina and Stephen were planning to settle down in Evans, where she currently lives, once he retired in two years.

Standing in the kitchen of their home, Tina said Stephen was a brave man who was always first in line to defend his country, a fact that made loved ones sleep easier.

"His family told me they always felt safe when he went into a war situation," Tina said. "So did I. I don't feel safe anymore."