A Heroes Way dedication ceremony honoring Sgt. Brandon L. Wallace was held Friday, Nov. 9, at 1:45 p.m., at the Crystal City High School Auditorium, located at 1100 Mississippi Ave. in Crystal City, Mo. Exit 175 A on Interstate 55 was named the SGT Brandon L. Wallace interchange.

Army Sgt. Brandon L. Wallace, of the 1451st Transportation Company, 13th Command, Iraq; died April 14, 2007 in Fallujah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Wallace graduated from Crystal City High School in 1998 and was also a graduate of the St. Charles Police Academy.

Wallace's awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Kosovo Campaign Bronze Service Star, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Speakers included:

• Mr. Brendan Fahey on behalf of U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill

• Ms. MaryBeth Wolf on behalf of U.S. Senator Roy Blunt

• Letter read by Ms. Judy Wagner on behalf of Missouri Senator Ryan McKenna, District 22

• Missouri Representative Ron Casey, District 103

• Crystal City Mayor, Thomas Schilly

• Crystal City Police Officer and friend of Sgt. Wallace, Jeff Wynn

• MoDOT Southeast District Engineer Mark Shelton

The Heroes Way Interstate Interchange Program legislation, passed in 2009, allows interstate interchanges to be designated for Missouri residents, who were in the armed forces and were killed in action on or after Sept. 11, 2001, in either Afghanistan or Iraq. In 2011, the original law was expanded to include state numbered highways.  

For more information on the dedication ceremony, please contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).