The life and legacy of U.S. Marine Cpl. Joshua B. Smith was memorialized with the dedication of a section of State Route 145 in his name during a ceremony hosted by Rep. Justin Simmons, R-131st, March 17 in Salisbury Township.

Simmons sponsored the legislation that made the designation.

Smith, a Salisbury Township native, served in the Marine Corps for eight years, including a deployment to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. He died in 2012 at age 27 after suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury.

“I was truly honored to sponsor the legislation, so everyone who uses the highway for generations to come will know of Cpl. Smith’s service and sacrifice,” Simmons said. “We must also look to the naming of this road in his memory as a way to help bring some attention to the plight of other veterans struggling with PTSD.”

Since his death, Nancy K. and Brian Smith, Smith’s parents, have worked with veterans coping with PTSD and helped to raise public awareness about the condition.

Smith’s father, Brian Smith, also spoke at the dedication ceremony.

“PTSD and TBIs are very hard to deal with,” Smith said. “So, if you can help a vet, active-duty service person or reservist in any way – a handshake, a hello or thank them for their service – it truly does mean a lot. This highway is a reminder to think about the men and women still here, still in harm’s way, fighting to keep us free.”

During the ceremony, signs were unveiled displaying the new name of that portion of State Route 145 as the “Cpl. Joshua B. Smith Memorial Highway.”