Loudermilk working to rename three intersections after fallen soldiers
by STAFF REPORTS
Mar 15, 2010 | 1711 views | 24 24 comments | 16 16 recommendations | email to a friend | print
1st Sgt. John Blair
1st Sgt. John Blair
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The intersection of Ga. 53 at U.S. 41 in Gordon County would be named for 1st Sgt. John Blair of Calhoun.
The intersection of Ga. 53 at U.S. 41 in Gordon County would be named for 1st Sgt. John Blair of Calhoun.
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Lance Cpl. Seth Sharp
Lance Cpl. Seth Sharp
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The intersection of Ga. 140 and U.S. 41 in Bartow County would be named after Lance Cpl. Seth Sharp of Adairsville.
The intersection of Ga. 140 and U.S. 41 in Bartow County would be named after Lance Cpl. Seth Sharp of Adairsville.
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Sgt. Jeffrey Jordan
Sgt. Jeffrey Jordan
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The intersection of Ga. 140 at U.S. 27 in Floyd County would be named after Sgt. Jeffrey Jordan of Cave Spring.
The intersection of Ga. 140 at U.S. 27 in Floyd County would be named after Sgt. Jeffrey Jordan of Cave Spring.
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State Rep. Barry Loudermilk said he is working to rename three intersections in the area to honor a trio of servicemen who were killed last year in Afghanistan.

The Republican from Cassville said he intends to issue three House resolutions this week to get the process moving.

The intersection of Ga. 53 at U.S. 41 in Gordon County would be named for 1st Sgt. John Blair of Calhoun, the inter-section of Ga. 140 and U.S. 41 in Bartow County would be named after Lance Cpl. Seth Sharp of Adairsville, and the intersection of Ga. 140 at U.S. 27 Ga. 140 at U.S. 27 in Floyd County would be named after Sgt. Jeffrey Jordan of Cave Spring..

Loudermilk said the idea evolved from conversations he had with Jan Johnson, whose son Spc. Justin Johnson was killed in 2004 while the 22-year-old was serving in Iraq with the Army. The intersection of Ga. 53 and Ga. 140 in northern Floyd County was renamed in July 2006 in honor of the Armuchee High graduate.

“I think it’s great,” Jan Johnson said of Loudermilk’s effort. “I went to Barry and said something to him about it, and we came up with the idea … ”

Johnson said the three roads to be dedicated were picked according to where the men once lived.

She said renaming an intersection in honor of her son more than three years ago isn’t something she will forget. “It means a lot,” Johnson said. “It lets us know that our sons are not going to be forgotten. It will keep their memory alive. I’m thankful to Barry Loudermilk. It was an honor for them to do it for us, but I’m also glad he’s stepping up for others in our area because those men gave their lives just like Justin did.”

Loudermilk said next year he hopes to rename the length of Ga. 140 in Northwest Georgia “something appropriate” to honor the fallen.

The representative said he is working the respective fami-lies on the resolutions he will introduce.

He said each family will receive a separate House resolu-tion, but it is likely all three will be combined for a vote be-cause of legislative rules.

Loudermilk said he has been working on the issue with Reps. Barbara Massey Reece, D-Menlo, and John Meadows, R-Calhoun, who fully support the proposal to rename the intersections.

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Comments
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Sugarvalley
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March 18, 2010
Blue Star in front of Depot. Hill??? Garden club provided the memorial and do a fine job making it attractive.

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CommonSenseAgitator
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March 18, 2010
The ones at the VFW and AMerican Legion both have names of those who died in action but I still think that the city and county governments should honor them with a museum or monument
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DEERFARTINWOODS
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March 18, 2010
The Monument in front of the court house is dedicated to the men who fought in the wars but not any names. THE one in front of the old train depot also dedicated to the soldiers but no names. I don't thank eather are dedicated to the soldiers who were killed in action don't know if the one at the VFW has them listed or not.
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CommonSenseAgitator
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March 18, 2010
no one even know those exist, or very few do because of locations. If they were relocated and updated then more people would visit them
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Sugarvalley
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March 18, 2010
There is memorial in front of the Depot, too.
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JusticeMan
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March 18, 2010
Could someone tell me what the Memorial is in front of the Gordon Co. Courthouse??
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DEERFARTINWOODS
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March 18, 2010
I checked out the Morial Hall in Rockford Illinois. thats a beautiful building wish Gordon Co.could afford such as that but don't think it's in our price range but it would be great to have something like that in Calhoun for all to honor the soldiers from all the wars fought around the world maybe one day we can have such a building like that but your right on a smaller scale it would be better then nothing at all. or a road sign.
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DEERFARTINWOODS
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March 18, 2010
YES' Thank Welltraveled I think we could and should honor all the great men and women from Gordon Co.who have faced combat and fallen in the line of duty or the strugle for freedom this is something that should have been done a long time ago in the 70s in stead they have been called names and even spit on a monument or memorial would be the least we could do for the soldiers .I think this is something we as a community can do without the help of the commissioners I don't think they will help any way there a lot of good people who remember the return home for a lot of soldiers and will step up and help if the right people are involved it will be a great thing for the community to get together on. "LET US ALL REMEMBER THE FALLEN"
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CommonSenseAgitator
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March 18, 2010
That's a great idea welltraveled. Are you listening board of Commissioners and City Council?
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Welltraveled
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March 17, 2010
Guys, research "Memorial Hall, Rockford, Illinois". I know Calhoun/Gordon Co. can't do it on the same scale, but why not a smaller memorial of the same type? There are certainly plenty of vacant buildings and store fronts in downtown that would certainly fit the bill. What better way to begin to revive downtown while also honoring the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf?! And you know; through tax incentives, donation write-off's, negotiation and goodwill, this could be acheived at the most minimal of costs. Also, look into federal and state grants that help fund these type projects. Why can our elected officials not "think OUTSIDE the box"? This is something every citizen would/should appreciate, why not find a way to make it come to fruition? And why wait until now? Gordon Co. citizens have served in every war! An all inclusive tribute seems the least we, the community, can/should do. Having thought about it, I may take an addage from another member of our panel, and call this Common Sense! Take note; O Ye Elected Ones.
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DEERFARTINWOODS
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March 17, 2010
THANKS! Sugarvalley all comments appreciated do we get your vote? How about Oldman76 Sugar has spoken any comments from you?
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Sugarvalley
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March 17, 2010
V F W Post 406 West Line Street (706) 629-0334
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DEERFARTINWOODS
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March 17, 2010
THANKS C.S.A.,County Commissioners and City Council? Now you know they didn't think of the idea so it's going to be hard to get them to approve a memorial to honor fallen soldiers, much less pay anything towards it. You know the County doesn't have any money. No property taxes are being paid and too many projects are sucking the people dry. I think that maybe the citizens of Calhoun and Gordon County would be glad to make donations. I'm sure there are many people in our area that have been touched in one way or another from past and present wars. I think the biggest problem is taking the right steps to get it started,after all it would be cheaper than road signs and changing mailing addresses and a monument would look good up behind the fountain at BB&T park. or any where well suited for it.
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CommonSenseAgitator
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March 17, 2010
Maybe approach the county commisoners and city council about it, and start a fund to help pay for it I doubt they'll be willing to pay for it
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DEERFARTINWOODS
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March 17, 2010
So what do we do next? Does anyone RLee,C.S.A.Memawof2 know what stelps we take to start something like this ? PLEASE LET ME KNOW Im behind it 100% THANKS DEER.
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RobertELee
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March 17, 2010
Grandstanding - It got his name in the paper now didn't it.

A public memorial would have my vote as a way to honor.
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CommonSenseAgitator
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March 17, 2010
Loudermilk and company are doing what republicans always do, they grandstand to get votes. To rename any street cost hundred of thousands of dollars in street signs, post office address changes, maps, etc... It would be better to have a monument at the "city" park at BB&T, and list each person who has died in the service of our country on it.
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memawof2
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March 17, 2010
Honoring our fallen soldiers, yes we should, but my cousin was killed in Viet Nam and we did not name a road after him. My dad seved in WWII with many others from Gordon County. We have other ways to remember our men and women that won't be changed when the wind blow differently. Road names are changed.
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DEERFARTINWOODS
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March 16, 2010
How about a Monument in front of the Court House like the Vietnam wall only with all fallen Soldiers from Gordon Co. I think C.S.A. is right it would be a dishonor not to remember all who have fallen in battle for this country and I would be more than glad and even honored in fact to donate to this in time or money. After all a street sign is just a tin sign. I think they deserve better for such a great sacrifice for such a small word "FREEDOM".
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excuseme
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March 16, 2010
I think instead of naming the streets the names of the fallen soldiers..they should just be named after the war that they were fighting at the time of there death, this way the street is in honor of all of them. this way families of the other fallen soldiers and the ones unfortunately to come will be honored also
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