JACKSON, Mo., - Highway markers that will honor four fallen Soldiers - including one Missouri National Guardsman - who died in Iraq or Afghanistan were unveiled May 22 and are expected to be in place along Interstate 55 in Southeast Missouri by Memorial Day.
More than 300 community members, legislators, veterans and family members attended the unveiling ceremony that was marked by tears, memories and heart-tugging remarks.
The ceremony took place here at the National Guard armory, which the home unit of Guardsman Staff Sgt. Bradley Skelton, who was killed in Baghdad on Feb. 6, 2008.
The signs, which were unveiled by family members of loved ones of each of the Soldiers, bear the names of the four servicemen, who died while serving in Afghanistan or Iraq on or after Sept. 11, 2001. They are the result of a two-year effort and culminated with the Heroes Way Interstate Interchange Program and will be placed near the hometown of each fallen Soldier.
In addition to Skelton, the other three Soldiers who will be getting highway markers include Cpl. Jeremy Shank and Sgt. Robert Davis, both of Jackson and Spc. Blake Hall of East Prairie, Mo. Skelton served at the Jackson armory but lived in Gordonville, Mo.
Missouri National Guard Chief of Staff Col. Glenn Hagler, who spoke at the ceremony, said the mission and the fight continues. He noted that just the day before the ceremony, he spent time with the family of Sgt. Denis Kisseloff, who was killed in Afghanistan recently.
Kisseloff was a teammate of Skelton and Sgt. Matt Straughter, both of whom were lost to direct enemy action during the deployment of the 1138th Sapper Company, Hagler said adding that the highway signs are a meaningful way to honor the memories of Soldiers who are killed in combat.
"This memorial, viewed with some perspective and some quiet reflection, will bring us back to the founding principles they so successfully sought to protect - freedom and liberty," Hagler said. "As we pass these signs, Brad, Jeremy, Robert and Blake, subtly transfer upon us responsibilities for these freedoms we dedicate ourselves to today."
Most American citizens do not know these Soldiers specifically, Hagler said.
"What Americans see when they see these memorials are defenders of freedom - American patriots who gave it their all," he said. "I'm hopeful citizens will see Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen, uniformed first responders and the great communities supporting these men and women as they lay it on the line when called upon for all of us. I am hopeful Americans will remember the values they protect."
The ceremony included remarks from local dignitaries as well the posting of the colors and a musical tribute.
Todd Blattel, a lifelong friend of Skelton, was one of the many organizers of the memorial highway markers.
He said he hopes the signs are a reminder of the cost of freedom. "These men are the ones who stepped up," Blattel said. "The ones on the signs are the ones who didn't make it back home and that's the cost of freedom. People shouldn't ever forget that."