Officials Designate a Portion of State Highway 56 as the Staff Sergeant Justin Bauer Memorial Highway

October 7, 2010 - Northeastern Colorado/CDOT Region 4 - LARIMER COUNTY— Today, October 7th, Colorado Senator Kevin Lundberg joined the family of Justin Bauer to designate a five-mile portion of State Highway (SH ) 56 between I-25 and US 287 as the “Staff Sergeant Justin Bauer Memorial Highway.”

The designation comes months after the Colorado Legislature passed a resolution to honor Staff Sergeant Justin Bauer of Berthoud, Colorado.  Staff Sergeant Bauer lost his life on January 10, 2009 when an improvised explosive device took his life when it struck the vehicle he was riding in while leading a patrol from Forward Operating Base Loyalty in Baghdad.

Staff Sergeant Bauer enlisted in the United States Army in 2004 and served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the same division in which his grandfather served during the Korean War.  He was in his second tour in Iraq and previously served 16 months in Iraq.

As part of the designation of SH 56, two highway signs will be installed along the highway.  The westbound sign is located near I-25 and the eastbound sign is located near US 287.  The signs were installed today as part of the ceremony.

Staff Sergeant Bauer excelled as a soldier and his service to his country was recognized with numerous awards including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Army Commendation medal.  He was well-liked and respected by the men he led and will be remembered as an exceptional leader who was dedicated to his family and friends, his community and his country.

Staff Sergeant Bauer was born in Berthoud, Colorado in 1984 and graduated from Berthoud High School in 2002.  He was a standout athlete, where he lettered in football and wrestling and demonstrated exceptional drive and character.  Prior to enlisting in the United States Army, he earned his wildfire certification, emergency medical technician certification and hazardous material certification.  He worked for the Berthoud Fire Department and traveled to Antarctica to work as a firefighter at a scientific research station.

Bauer is survived by his wife, Kari Campbell, his mother Connie Haddock, his father and stepmother Greg and Charlene Bauer and his brothers Jacob and Jeremy Bauer.