State Representative Sarah Lightner has announced that the Michigan House of Representatives has passed her proposed legislation to honor local servicemembers from Jackson County who died while serving in the U.S. military.
House Bill 5089 seeks to rename three segments of M-60 in Jackson County, each section dedicated to individuals who served in World War II, the Vietnam War, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The bill designates the stretch from Emerson Road to North Cross Road as the WWII Veterans Lynford Graham, Melvin King, and Vernon Smalley Memorial Highway. The portion from North Cross Road to North Main Street will be named for Vietnam War veterans Timothy Ballinger, Robert Jenks, and James Morgan. From North Main Street to Van Wert Road will become the Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran Donald Wheeler Jr. Memorial Highway.
“Each of these men answered the call of duty, served bravely, and made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Lightner. “Their courage and devotion deserve lasting recognition in the community they called home.”
The servicemembers recognized by this bill include World War II veterans who received honors such as the Purple Heart and Bronze Star before dying overseas. The Vietnam veterans commemorated fought on behalf of freedom and democracy. Donald Wheeler Jr., a Jackson County native, enlisted after September 11th and was killed during operations in Tikrit, Iraq.
“Their names and stories are part of our local history and our national legacy,” Lightner added. “These designations ensure generations to come will see those signs and remember the price of our freedom.”
In accordance with the Michigan Memorial Highway Act, funding for highway signage must come from private sources rather than taxpayer dollars.
The bill received bipartisan support in committee hearings within the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and now advances to the Senate for further review.
