The community of Rainier came out for the unveiling of the Sgt. Justin Norton Highway last month.
Rainier City Councilor Everett Gage, left, and Gary Warnick unveil the market honoring Rainier's Sgt. Justin Norton. Warnick is married to Norton's mother.
Rainier City Councilor Everett Gage was key in a project to rename a portion of state Route 507 after the late Sgt. Justin D. Norton, a Rainier graduate who died in action overseas while serving his country.
Gage began the project because as a veteran himself he wanted to do something more. He would drive by the picture of Sgt. Norton painted on the railroad trestle just east of Rainier and he knew it might not always be there as it has been vandalized before.
He initially spoke with the mayors of Rainier and Yelm and then reached out to state legislators about renaming the highway. The process took about two years, but in October 2017 the state Transportation Commissioner approved the new name.
Friends and family of Justin’s came out in support of the memorial unveiling last month.
Sgt. Justin D. Norton was born Oct. 30, 1984, and graduated with honors from Rainier High School in 2003. He Joined the Army in April 2003 and fought in Iraq in 2005. While serving he earned the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Purple Heart and many others. He was tragically killed in action on June 24, 2006.
My son told me, “Mom, if I don’t come back from this war, I want you to set up a scholarship fund for students who want to go to college,” said his mother Chris Warnock. She upheld his request and to date his scholarship fund has awarded $56,000 in scholarships.
This road memorial is another way Sgt. Norton will remain with Rainier residents and all who drive down state Route 507 through Rainier.
