From Afghanistan to Murfreesboro City Council: Veteran Austin Maxwell Keeps Faith With the Fallen

By Tennessee Ledger Staff

Murfreesboro Veterans Honor Fallen Comrades on Memorial Day Weekend

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — As Rutherford County prepared to observe Memorial Day, local radio host Mike Sparks used his Sunday evening broadcast to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, featuring a heartfelt conversation with Murfreesboro City Councilmember and veteran Austin Maxwell.

On the May 24 Sunday evening episode of Conversations With Mike Sparks, Sparks and co-host Roger Thomas opened the show with personal reflections before welcoming Maxwell, a combat veteran who served with the 196th Field Artillery Brigade in Afghanistan in 2005.

“Lest we forget….
I served with and knew these soldiers who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we enjoy today.
SFC Chris Robinson 20th Special Forces KIA in Sangin, Afghanistan on 25 March 2006.
MSG JT “Doc” Stone VTARNG KIAin Sangin, Afghanistan on 29 March 2006.
SSG Joseph Fuerst FLARNG KIA in Panjaway, Afghanistan on 24 June 2006.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”— John 15:13
I spent many a night on the roof pulling security with “Doc”. He had walked around the world and had the most unique perspectives on practically anything. A true thinker and lover of humanity. I almost joined him that night on 3/29 but God had other plans for me…
As we move through this weekend let us not forget those service men, women and their families that have been impacted by their sacrifice and loss,” Austin Maxwell

Sparks shared a personal connection to his late friend Sgt. Asbury ‘Freddie’ Hawn of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, who was killed in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004. Sparks recounted training Sgt. Hawn when he worked for Nissan to take his place when he was moving from night shift to day shift and spoke of the sacrifice, service and the lasting impact Sgt. Hawn left on him and others.

Maxwell discussed the weight of remembrance, noting three comrades from his own deployment who did not return home. He emphasized the importance of honoring their names and stories, particularly on Memorial Day.

“You know, we owe it to ourselves… to always take the high ground,” Maxwell said. “This is our day. This is our honor to memorialize and say their names.”

The conversation touched on the shared experiences of Tennessee National Guard units, the challenges of deployment, and the importance of faith and community support. Sparks highlighted what he called “Godwink moments” — meaningful coincidences that felt like divine timing in honoring fallen soldiers with his friend, Nissan coworker and customers Sgt. Asbury ‘Freddie’ Hawn.

Maxwell, who is seeking re-election to the Murfreesboro City Council, also encouraged residents to reach out for yard signs or to learn more about his campaign.

The show blended light-hearted local banter between Sparks and Rodger Thomas — including nostalgic stories from their younger days in the area — with more serious discussions on military service, local leadership, and community needs. Later during the segment the show featured guests Rutherford County Mayor-elect Randy Allen and Rutherford County Sheriff candidate Kenneth Barrett and his familydiscussing Rutherford County issues.

To learn more about Councilman Austin Maxwell visit this link.

The full episode is available on the WGNS Radio YouTube channel and website.