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Rt. 35 step closer to carrying soldier's name
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share thisHARRISBURG - Route 35 from Selinsgrove to the Snyder County line near Richfield is one step closer to being named for Pvt. 1st Class Justin W. Dreese, a 21-year-old soldier from Freeburg who died as a result of injuries suffered during a mortar attack in Iraq, said Rep. Russ Fairchild (R-85), author of the legislation making the highway designation.
House Bill 1783 officially designates this section of roadway as the Justin W. Dreese Memorial Highway and was unanimously endorsed by the state House on Monday.
"Through his tours of duty in Afghanistan, El Salvador and Iraq, Pvt. 1st Class Dreese was an accomplished paratrooper," Fairchild said. "Although he was only in Iraq for three weeks before he was killed by mortar fire, he made a tremendous difference in the lives of the soldiers he served with and the people he protected.
"Justin was truly an American patriot - believing in America and its missions to protect those who cannot yet protect themselves," Fairchild continued. "Those are the types of individuals who make great soldiers, and I am pleased this section of Route 35 will be named for Justin and all who travel this roadway will be reminded of the ultimate sacrifice he made for his country."
Dreese died Sept. 2, 2006, succumbing to injuries sustained in the attack. A 2004 graduate of Selinsgrove Area High School, he was a paratrooper who served on three tours of duty in just three years.
"Private Dreese's sacrifice for his country will always be remembered, and as we proceed with the legislation to name Route 35 in his honor, we send our heartfelt prayers and wishes to his family and friends," said state Rep. Merle Phillips (R-108), who was one of the leading co-sponsors for the bill.
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