Dedication of route renamed for slain soldier set for Friday
7/17/2014CASTALIA, Ohio — Two state legislators and relatives of a local soldier killed three years ago in Afghanistan will be at a ceremony Friday to dedicate part of State Rt. 101 in his honor.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Charles L. Adkins, 36, a 1993 Margaretta High School graduate, whose 16 years of service included two tours in Iraq, was killed by a suicide bomber April 16, 2011 in Afghanistan, where he was training Afghan forces. He left behind wife, Sarah Lane Adkins, and five children.
“Sergeant Adkins left an indelible mark on his community and nation through his heroic service,” said state Rep. Chris Redfern (D., Catawba Island), who introduced legislation naming Route 101 between Castalia and Sandusky the Sfc. Charles L. Adkins Memorial Highway into a bill the Ohio General Assembly passed in February.
The event is set for 6 p.m. Friday at Castalia Village Hall, 126 Main St., during the Castalia Cold Creek Celebration.
“As community members and families gather for the festival this week, they also come together to celebrate the life and service of a great patriot, Sergeant Adkins,” said state Sen. Randy Gardner (R., Bowling Green), who will attend too.