Healthy Habits – Living Intentionally
June 11, 2018
Mike Metzger, Dean Bennet and wife Carolyn, Governor Dewine, Sgt. Hamner’s daughter, Brenna Eldrige and husband Terry.
Military Veterans Resource Center Veteran, Mike Metzger, played a big role in getting a piece of highway US 23 dedicated as a Memorial Highway in honor of SGT Michael Keith Hamner, a Ross County native who fought and was killed selflessly in the Vietnam War.
“In September of 2018, I was performing my adjutant duties at American Legion Post 757 and a man came in asking about a memorial sign. Once he talked to the bartender, she came and got me and I was introduced to Dean Bennett. He and his wife do a good bit of traveling and have seen quite a few signs in Kentucky and thought ‘why not have a sign made for Mike?’. They grew up in Massieville and Dean wanted a sign on US 23 commemorating his childhood friend, Sgt. Hamner’s, ultimate sacrifice for his country during Vietnam. I thought about it for about a week, before Brandon [Taylor] and I spoke to local ODOT. They informed me that any highway signage must be passed through legislation at the state level. I then got a hold of my district representative, State Representative Gary Scherer’s, office in November by way of an advocacy letter that was written for a Social Work policy class. After lots of emails checking progress of the bill, which originally started as HB 266, and 3 different aides to Representative Scherer, we finally moved into the final phase last month. Fast forward to March 4th and House Bill 276 was signed by the Governor. HB 276 was an omnibus bill that had 41 families included for various bridge and highway re-namings included within in it.” -Mike Metzger
The official ODOT sign unveiling ceremony is still to come. It will be 4-8 weeks before there will be a sign that says SGT Michael Keith Hamner Memorial Highway at mile markers 8 through 6 on US 23.
Way to go the extra “mile”, Mike!
Mike Metzger, presenting Ohio Governor, Mike Dewine, a MVRC Challenge Coin.
