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Rep. Brann’s plan to honor local fallen servicemen signed into law
RELEASE|January 4, 2019

Portions of U.S. 131 to be renamed in the city of Wyoming

State Rep. Tommy Brann’s plan to honor three fallen servicemen from the city of Wyoming has been signed into state law.

Brann’s laws memorialize the trio by renaming a portion of U.S. 131 within the city.

The portion between exits 78 and 79 will be known as the Army Spc. Eric T. Burri Memorial Highway. The portion between exits 79 and 80 will be known as the Marine Cpl. Ross. A. Smith Memorial Highway, and the segment between exits 80 and 81 will be the Army Pfc. Nicholas H. Blodgett Memorial Highway.

All three grew up in Wyoming and died at the age of 21.

“This memorial highway will recognize the bravery of these young men, and their dedication to their community and country,” said Brann, of Wyoming. “We owe our freedoms to servicemen like Eric. T Burri, Ross A. Smith and Nicholas H. Blodgett – who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.”

Burri lost his life when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee in Baghdad.  He was assigned to the 623rd Quartermaster Company, 1st Corps Support Command, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Burri wanted to see the world, learn languages and meet different people.

Smith lost his life when an IED detonated when he was conducting combat operations near Fallujah, Iraq. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Camp Pendleton, California.

Smith was the youngest of three sons in his immediate family. He followed his older brother’s footsteps and became a Marine.

Blodgett lost his life when his patrol vehicle hit an IED in Abdalluyah, Iraq. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, based in Schweinfurt, Germany.

Blodgett’s family members said he wanted to be in the military or law enforcement officer.

House Bill 6025 is now Public Act 568 of 2018.

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