Lance Corporal Leon B. Deraps Memorial Highway

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Posted: Wednesday, Oct 22, 2008 - 05:50:04 pm - WWW.CALIFORNIADEMOCRAT.COM

Dedication ceremony held for Lance Corporal Leon B. Deraps Memorial Highway
By APRIL ARNETT
Democrat Staff

State Senator Carl Vogel speaks at the dedication ceremony held Saturday at the Jamestown Community Center for the Lance Corporal Leon B. Deraps Memorial Highway. "Leon's sacrifice will not be forgotten," Vogel said. "With this we are reminded of the ultimate price that is still being paid every day for the freedom we enjoy. I am happy to dedicate a portion of this highway to Leon." (California Democrat photo by April Arnett)

Friends and family, including Missouri State Representative Kenny Jones and State Senator Carl Vogel, gathered at the Jamestown Community Center Saturday, Oct. 18, for a formal dedication ceremony for the Lance Corporal Leon B. Deraps Memorial Highway.

Jones was the primary sponsor of House Bill 1575 which was signed into law and Section 227.394 that designates a four-mile section of State Route 87 from the intersection of Route AA south in Moniteau County as the Lance Corporal Leon B. Deraps Memorial Highway.

"It was my honor to introduce the bill to recognize Leon," Jones said. "When we drive on this section of highway, we will remember what Leon did."

Deraps, son of Dale and Sandy Deraps, Jamestown, served in the United States Marine Corps and died in the line of duty May 8, 2006, in Iraq.

"This is bittersweet for us," Dale Deraps said in closing the ceremony. "We wish we were seeing all of you under different circumstances, but thank you for coming. I think all we can do is continue to pray for the troops and pray for peace in the world."