Honoring Our Heroes

Heroes Way

Missouri now has a way to memorialize our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The Heroes Way Interstate Interchange Designation Program was created last year. The program allows interstate interchanges to be named for service members who were killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan. There are many members in our community that have been working hard to recognize these fallen heroes of Southeast Missouri.

The idea for Heroes Way began with my friend Ross Gartman, a Missouri National Guardsman, and others who wanted to honor those who gave their lives in the defense of our freedoms. I was honored to work with family members of Southeast Missouri fallen soldiers, the Missouri Department of Transportation, and others to develop the program.

Heroes Way allows relatives to submit their loved one's name to the Missouri Department of Transportation for recognition. In order to be eligible for recognition, an individual must have been killed in action during active military duty in Afghanistan or Iraq on or after September 11, 2001, and must have sponsorship from at least one member of the General Assembly. Once an application is approved, two signs are erected in the North/South or East/West directions at the designated interstate interchange. The cost of the two designation signs is $2,200. I am proud to say that individuals throughout our area are working together to raise money for these signs. Organizers and fundraisers have raised over $13,000 to date for Heroes Way statewide.

The Southeast Missouri fallen soldiers will be honored at a ceremony to unveil the Heroes Way signs at the Jackson Armory on May 22nd at 1 pm. I invite you to join us to honor these heroes.

Heroes from Southeast Missouri include:

Staff Sgt. Bradley J. Skelton of Gordonville

Staff Sergeant Charles R. Sanders, Jr. of Charleston

Ross and others worked together to start Heroes Way Inc; a nonprofit to raise money for other qualifying military members in the state who have made the ultimate sacrifice. For more information on Heroes Way Inc. and how to donate, contact Ross at g.man1212@hotmail.com.

Please join me in supporting these efforts and honoring Missouri's fallen heroes.

Contact Me

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, opinions, and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-2459. You may write to me at Jason Crowell; Missouri Senate; State Capitol; Jefferson City, MO 65101, or email me at: jcrowell@senate.mo.gov or visit me on the web at http://www.senate.mo.gov/crowell.