The Colorado Legislature recently voted to officially designate a stretch of U.S. 34 near Windsor the “SSG. Christopher J. Birdwell Memorial Highway” in honor of the 2005 Windsor High School graduate who was killed in combat last August in Afghanistan.
Perry Buck and Vicki Marble sponsored the measure, Joint Resolution 32, in the House and Senate, respectively. The resolution passed the Senate unanimously on Friday, after already having cleared the house. The portion of highway spans from westbound mile marker 102 to eastbound mile marker 96.5 near Windsor.
Birdwell, 25, was killed along with another soldier, Spc. Mabry Anders, 21, of Baker City, Ore., in Kalagush, Afghanistan while serving his third tour of duty. He had planned to rotate home last December and was the in five years.
After his death, he was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant and was honored with the bronze star and purple heart. Officials, family and friends held several ceremonies in his honor across Windsor throughout the fall.
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