On Saturday, Illinois State Representative Charlie Meier gathered with the family and friends of Staff Sergeant Jordan Emrick of Hoyleton to dedicate a portion of Illinois Route 177 between Hoyleton and New Minden as the SSgt. Jordan Emrick Memorial Highway.  They all gathered at the New Minden Community Park to honor Emrick who was killed in Afghanistan on November 5, 2010.  He joined the United States Marine Corp shortly after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and was a member of the 1^st Explosives Ordinance Disposal Company when he was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  Representative Meier said, “One of the most important aspects of being a public official is to honor the brave men and women who so dutifully put on our Nation’s uniform.  That is why I sponsored and introduced House Joint Resolution 53 to rename a portion of Illinois Route 177 as the Staff Sergeant Jordan Emrick Memorial Highway.”  During the ceremony, the United States Marines presented the America flag while members of the Nashville High School band played the National Anthem.  Meier read a copy of the House resolution honoring Emrick and presented a copy of the resolution to Emrick’s parents.  Following the ceremony, the Marine Corp unveiled the sign dedicating the memorial highway.