ADAIRSVILLE — On the one-year anniversary of their son’s death in Afghanistan, friends and family in the Adairsville community surrounded Rick and Tiffany Sharp during a ceremony Friday that unveiled the Lance Cpl. Seth Sharp Memorial Intersection.

The intersection of U.S. 41 and Ga. 140 was dedicated in honor of Adairsville native Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Seth Sharp who was killed on July 2, 2009, during a push to take the Helmand Valley back from the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Tiffany Sharp, Seth’s stepmother, said the intersection allows his influence to be felt in the community.

“I want him here, but I’m proud of the sacrifice he made because he’s done something that a lot of people can’t,” Tiffany Sharp said. “I’m just proud of the young man he grew to be.”

Rick Sharp said he was always proud of his son, but even more so now that he is being recognized throughout the community for the sacrifice he made.

“It’s a sad day, but it’s also a good day,” Rick Sharp said. “I’m just here to honor my son and it’s all about him today.”

Tiffany Sharp said the support from the community during this year has been extraordinary and has made her appreciate the town she grew up in and loves.

“There is not another town that I would rather live in,” she said. “This community has been so good and supporting and this really is a community that leans on each other and you can count on.”

The memorial to honor Sharp was introduced as House Rule 1686 by Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Cassville, and unanimously passed both the House and Senate before being signed by Gov. Sonny Perdue.

“It’s very emotional getting to know the family and feeling a portion of the pain they feel,” Loudermilk said. “It’s the joy of a community coming together that tells me they still remember.”