We are sending this out because to our knowledge local Cartersville paper has not run this press release, although other regional papers have run it.  Time is of the essence.  Please help show your patriotism and support for a local hero by helping raise money to erect a sign in honor of LCpl. Seth Sharp.

 

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CASSVILLE - On July 2, 2009, Lance Corporal Seth Sharp, USMC, of Adairsville was killed in action during the push to take the Helmand Valley back from the Taliban in Afghanistan.  As a memorial to honor the ultimate sacrifice Seth made for our freedom, Representative Barry Loudermilk introduced legislation (HR 1686) which would designate the intersection of US Highway 41 and State Highway 140, in Adairsville as the LCPL Seth Sharp Memorial Interchange.  "We can never repay the sacrifice that Seth and his family have made for us," said Loudermilk, "but this intersection will serve as a reminder to everyone that passes through Adairsville that that there is a cost for our freedom."
 
Until 2009, taxpayer funds were used to manufacture and erect signs for road, bridge and intersection designations; however, due to declining state revenues, the General Assembly adopted new rules that require the costs for manufacturing and erecting signs be incurred by the family or through private funds. Loudermilk, a veteran of the United States Air Force, made a motion that the state continue to pay for signs that honor Georgia's servicemen killed in action, but his motion did not pass.
 
House Resolution 1686 unanimously passed both the House and Senate, and was recently signed by Governor Sonny Perdue; however, the signs will not be manufactured until the DOT receives the funds for the project.
 
Representative Loudermilk and the United Community Bank of Adairsville have set up a special account where funds may be donated. "I greatly appreciate Mr. Gary Floyd and the fine employees of United Community Bank for stepping forward to help with this project," said Loudermilk. 
 
Contributions are being accepted at United Community Bank, located at 7400 Adairsville Highway, Adairsville, Georgia 30103 or checks may be sent to the Seth Sharp Memorial Interchange c/o Rep. Barry Loudermilk, PO Box 436, Cassville, Georgia 30123. Checks should be made payable to "Seth Sharp Interchange Project."
 
All funds received will go directly to the cost of manufacturing, erecting and maintaining the signs at the intersection.
 
 
Text of Georgia State House Resolution 1686:
 
A RESOLUTION
Dedicating certain portions of the state highway system; and for other purposes.
PART I
WHEREAS, LCPL Seth Sharp's patriotic spirit was evidenced at a young age when, following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, at the age of 17, he joined the United States Marine Corps to, as he stated in his own words, fight for and defend those who couldn't defend themselves; and
 
WHEREAS, after serving his first tour of duty in Iraq, LCPL Seth Sharp was deployed to Afghanistan with Company E of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines; and
 
WHEREAS, as Seth and his Platoon were suppressing the enemy with rifle and machine gun fire, in a push to take the Helmand Valley back from the Taliban; and, while performing his duties in a most heroic and dedicated manner, he was killed in action on July 2, 2009; and
 
WHEREAS, for his selfless dedication he was awarded the Purple Heart, the War on Terrorism medal, the National Defense Medal, the Iraq Campaign medal, and the Afghanistan Campaign medal, among many other subsequent awards; and
 
WHEREAS, this courageous marine, in the spirit of the American patriot, volunteered to confront the dangers, privations, and discomforts of wartime service, and in the spirit of humanity strived to keep the peace in Iraq and Afghanistan with fortitude and steadfast resolve, making us as a nation truly proud; and
 
WHEREAS, all Americans owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women of our armed forces who risk their lives in the defense of freedom and to secure the blessings of liberty for this nation and other peoples of the world; and
 
WHEREAS, it is only fitting and proper that a lasting memorial to LCPL Seth Sharp's life of service to his country be established.
 
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that the members of this body hereby join in honoring the life and memory of LCPL Seth Sharp, and hereby dedicate the intersection of US 41 and SR 140 in Bartow County as the LCPL Seth Sharp Memorial Intersection.
 
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is authorized and directed to erect and maintain appropriate signs dedicating the road facilities named in this resolution and that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit appropriate copies of this resolution to the Department of Transportation and the family of LCPL Seth Sharp.
 
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