NEW WINDSOR, Illinois-- Naming a major road after the New Windsor hero was almost overwhelming for the family of Army Corporal Bryant J. Luxmore, also known as "BJ."
During Wednesday's dedication ceremony the family was given another way to remember his sacrifice.
BJ, a Sherrard High School Graduate, was killed in Afghanistan in 2012. Now despite the rainy weather, hundreds of people packed the Presbyterian church were they named Illinois Highway 17 the "Cpl Bryant J. Luxmore Memorial Highway."
Leonard Luxmore, BJ's father says this was a road his son spent a lot of time on during his life.
"It's a section of highway where he grew up on, where we still live. He was laid to rest in a cemetery just off that stretch of highway and he was certainly proud to call this whole area home," he says.
Luxmore had joined enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2011. He was assigned to an infantry division and a year later was deployed to Afghanisatan, where he died from injuries he received when he encountered a small arms fire.
BJ was also awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge for his service in the Army.