12-mile stretch of U.S. 50 dedicated PFC Zachary Gullett Memorial Highway WATCH THE VIDEO
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
The same road on which a solemn processional brought a fallen soldier home has now been dedicated by the Ohio Legislature in his honor.
A 12-mile stretch of U.S. 50 between Hillsboro and Rainsboro has been dedicated the PFC Zachary Gullett Memorial Highway.
Gullett, 20, was serving with the 984th Military Police Company in Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq on May 1, 2007, when he collapsed and died.
A week later, Gullett was flown home, and his family and friends, joined by area law enforcement and emergency response units, brought him home to Hillsboro via U.S. 50. Along the way, local law enforcement and fire departments turned along the roadway, saluting and paying their respects. When the procession entered the Hillsboro city limits, hundreds of people lined the street to honor their fallen hero.
The highway was dedicated through House Bill 65, which was passed in June and went into effect in September.
Ohio 17th District Sen. David Daniels began the initiative for the highway dedication when he was Ohio's 86th District Representative. His successor, Cliff Rosenberger, took up the cause when he entered the office.
On Thursday, Gullett's mother and father, Connie and Mike Gullett, brother Benjamin Gullett, grandmother Eleanor Helterbrand, and aunts Debbie Kimmel and Joette Wilson helped unveil the sign at the 12-mile marker on U.S. 50 west at the Hillsboro corporation limit.
Another sign is posted in Rainsboro.
Vaughn Wilson, Deputy Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation District 9, along with Daniels, Rosenberger, Highland County Commissioners Tom Horst and Shane Wilkin, Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink, and Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Ralph Holt joined the family at the dedication.
"We have an opportunity here to recognize Zach for his service to his country," Daniels said. "Here we are, it's a beautiful day, we've got people traveling up and down U.S. 50, and I get the opportunity to travel about 30,000-40,000 miles a year. When you're just driving down the road, you don't think much about the freedoms we have, the abilities to move around this country. These memorial highways and memorial bridges, and this stretch, in particular, will remind us on a daily basis that there are people who answer the call of service to their country and paid their ultimate sacrifice."
Daniels read a letter from the Ohio Senate, stating "It is imperative that we openly express our gratitude to patriots who have served honorably in America's Armed Forces."
Gullett's contribution to his country and community was "honorable and worthy of emulation."
Connie Gullett held a framed photo of her son during the dedication.
Daniels said to the Gullett family that it was with "great pride" that they dedicate the highway.
Rosenberger said that through the process of getting the legislation passed, it gave him an opportunity to get to know Mike and Connie.
"Zachary took an oath to protect and defend this country. We are glad, today, to be able to pay honor to him, for paying that ultimate sacrifice."
Benjamin Gullett spoke on behalf of his family, saying that they appreciated the efforts that have gone into making sure his brother's contribution is remembered.
"It's a great honor for us to be here, and to have this happen for Zachary," Benjamin Gullett said.
Since 2007, four Hillsboro students have been assisted in the furtherance of their higher education by the PFC Zachary R. Gullett Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded in his honor to a Hillsboro High School student who is seeking a career in law enforcement and demonstrates a strong character.
The same road on which a solemn processional brought a fallen soldier home has now been dedicated by the Ohio Legislature in his honor.
A 12-mile stretch of U.S. 50 between Hillsboro and Rainsboro has been dedicated the PFC Zachary Gullett Memorial Highway.
Gullett, 20, was serving with the 984th Military Police Company in Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq on May 1, 2007, when he collapsed and died.
A week later, Gullett was flown home, and his family and friends, joined by area law enforcement and emergency response units, brought him home to Hillsboro via U.S. 50. Along the way, local law enforcement and fire departments turned along the roadway, saluting and paying their respects. When the procession entered the Hillsboro city limits, hundreds of people lined the street to honor their fallen hero.
The highway was dedicated through House Bill 65, which was passed in June and went into effect in September.
Ohio 17th District Sen. David Daniels began the initiative for the highway dedication when he was Ohio's 86th District Representative. His successor, Cliff Rosenberger, took up the cause when he entered the office.
On Thursday, Gullett's mother and father, Connie and Mike Gullett, brother Benjamin Gullett, grandmother Eleanor Helterbrand, and aunts Debbie Kimmel and Joette Wilson helped unveil the sign at the 12-mile marker on U.S. 50 west at the Hillsboro corporation limit.
Another sign is posted in Rainsboro.
Vaughn Wilson, Deputy Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation District 9, along with Daniels, Rosenberger, Highland County Commissioners Tom Horst and Shane Wilkin, Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink, and Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Ralph Holt joined the family at the dedication.
"We have an opportunity here to recognize Zach for his service to his country," Daniels said. "Here we are, it's a beautiful day, we've got people traveling up and down U.S. 50, and I get the opportunity to travel about 30,000-40,000 miles a year. When you're just driving down the road, you don't think much about the freedoms we have, the abilities to move around this country. These memorial highways and memorial bridges, and this stretch, in particular, will remind us on a daily basis that there are people who answer the call of service to their country and paid their ultimate sacrifice."
Daniels read a letter from the Ohio Senate, stating "It is imperative that we openly express our gratitude to patriots who have served honorably in America's Armed Forces."
Gullett's contribution to his country and community was "honorable and worthy of emulation."
Connie Gullett held a framed photo of her son during the dedication.
Daniels said to the Gullett family that it was with "great pride" that they dedicate the highway.
Rosenberger said that through the process of getting the legislation passed, it gave him an opportunity to get to know Mike and Connie.
"Zachary took an oath to protect and defend this country. We are glad, today, to be able to pay honor to him, for paying that ultimate sacrifice."
Benjamin Gullett spoke on behalf of his family, saying that they appreciated the efforts that have gone into making sure his brother's contribution is remembered.
"It's a great honor for us to be here, and to have this happen for Zachary," Benjamin Gullett said.
Since 2007, four Hillsboro students have been assisted in the furtherance of their higher education by the PFC Zachary R. Gullett Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded in his honor to a Hillsboro High School student who is seeking a career in law enforcement and demonstrates a strong character.
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