Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed four bills renaming portions of highways to recognize fallen military officers and police officers, including one that honors the memory of Lincoln Park native Craig Frank.
A portion of Fort Street, from Goddard Road to West Outer Drive, will now be known as the Sgt. Craig S. Frank Memorial Highway.
Army Specialist Craig Frank served in the 1775th Military Police Company, Michigan Army National Guard. On July 17, 2004, he was killed when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his car while he was providing armed protection for an American military convoy traveling north of Baghdad, Iraq.
The 1997 Lincoln Park High School graduate died just days before his company was set to return home.
“Lincoln Park and Downriver still remembers Sgt. Frank’s legacy; one in which he bravely sought to uphold the freedoms, and security that we so often take for granted,” said State Rep. Cara Clemente (D-Lincoln Park). “It is only right and fitting that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will be signing into law my legislation, which will rename part of Fort Street (M — 85) in Lincoln Park as the Sergeant Craig S. Frank Memorial Highway. May this recognition of his service and bravery continue to live on for posterity.”
Maj. Douglas MacQuarrie served with Frank and spoke about him in 2009 when a “Lest They Be Forgotten” memorial was dedicated to him at Memorial Park.
“Craig was one of a kind,” MacQuarrie said. “Craig lived the Army values — loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. … Waking up every day in Iraq, preparing to go into the unknown, having a smile on your face and spreading a positive attitude was Craig Frank. …
“I can think of nothing more honorable than to sacrifice your life for your fellow soldiers and nation. He displayed personal courage to the very end.”
Portions of other state highways were renamed to honor the memories of Cpl. DeAngelo Snow of Buena Vista Township in Saginaw County, an Army specialist who died from an insurgent attack in Afghanistan; Sgt. Ryan J. Proxmire, a Kalamazoo County Sheriff killed in the line of duty during a high-speed chase; and Officer Jessica Nagle-Wilson, who lost her life in the line of duty serving the city of Hazel Park.
“These bipartisan bills honor the memories of Michigan service members and law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty,” Whitmer said after signing the bills on July 19. “We are grateful for their service and proud to recognize them by renaming portions of Michigan’s highways in their namesake. We must ensure that their legacies live on not only in our words, but through our actions. Let’s keep working together to protect public safety and support our troops, law enforcement officials and veterans.”
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