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.

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 writing about Hawn for the Tennessee Ledger and spoke of the sacrifice and 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 Thomas — including nostalgic stories from their younger days in the area — with more serious discussions on military service, local leadership, and community needs. Later segments featured additional guests discussing 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.