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TOOELE COUNTY — Many Utah soldiers have risked their lives to fight in Afghanistan, with several paying the ultimate sacrifice, including medic Jordan Byrd who was killed at just 19 years old. A Tooele County resident said he was working on a permanent tribute so Byrd's service would never be forgotten.
A lot of people were happy when the Midvalley Highway opened up, but Stephen Evans thinks the state can and should change the name.
"I first heard about Jordan Byrd when his death happened back in 2010," Evans said.
Evans talked about Jordan Byrd from Grantsville who was only 19 years old when he was killed in Afghanistan. Byrd was a medic with the 101st Airborne and was shot during a battle while helping a wounded soldier.
"We know there's no greater calling than to give up your life for someone else," said Evans.
A Tooele County man is trying to get the new Mid-Valley Highway renamed to the Jordan Byrd Memorial Highway. Byrd, from Grantsville, was 19 yrs old when he was killed in Afghanistan while serving with the @101stAASLTDIV. Our story runs on @KSL5TV at 5. #ksltv#jordanbyrdpic.twitter.com/UkGVVo61Ox
— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) April 23, 2021
Evans made it his cause to try and get the Midvalley Highway renamed as the Jordan Byrd Memorial Highway.
He met Byrd's family for the first time Friday.
"It's just amazing and I think what Steve has done is incredible," said Jordan Byrd's cousin, Chelsee Johnson. "We are here to support him and do all that we can to make this happen."
Byrd's family said they were thankful that even 10 years later, people still remember him.
"Of course, we'll never forget him," said Johnson. "It's just incredible to see that there are other people, strangers, who will also never forget him."
For Evans, he said it was just the right thing to do.
"It is going to happen," he said. "We're going to push it all the way to the end."
Evans met with Utah Department of Transportation officials Friday morning.
He said contacting his local representatives and senators was next on his list.
