Family, friends, and officials gathered at the intersection of county road 467 and the highway 25 bypass.
What is normally just a faster way around for drivers, now has a special meaning, and is more than just asphalt.

"He loved the military, he lived and died for it," said Jason Bishop's mother, Brenda.

"Today we gather to honor Sergeant First Class Jason Bishop along with his family. This nation, this great Commonwealth, and the County of Grant owes him a great debt of gratitude," read Grant County Judge Executive Darrell Link at the ceremony.

Bishop was killed in action in Iraq by a suicide bomber. But his actions leading up to the explosion saved 15 men in his platoon.

"He saved all those men, and whoever else would've been going down that highway that morning, he saved them also. So I feel he's a real hero," said Brenda Bishop.

Now the mile and a half stretch of highway will serve as her reminder.

"When you lose one of your children, you lose everything. And I'm really happy about it and I'm glad that Grant County is honoring him," added Bishop.

And it serves as a reminder for others, of the ultimate sacrifice given more than six years ago.

Bishop had served in the army since graduating high school in 1993.