East Central Reporter

On Saturday, July 6, 2024, nearly 250 people gathered to dedicate a section of Illinois Route 133 through the town of Oakland as the “Lieutenant Jared Southworth Memorial Highway.” House Joint Resolution 39, sponsored by Rep. Adam Niemerg and Rep. Chris Miller in the House and Sen. Chapin Rose in the Senate, designated this highway section in Southworth’s honor.

“Our soldiers come first. We need to honor our soldiers. It is going to be a really great day to honor a great service member of our country,” said State Representative Adam Niemerg in his interview with WAND TV.

Lt. Southworth was a member of the Illinois National Guard and Army Ranger who died from an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2009. The ceremony honored his sacrifice for his country.

The dedication included Southworth’s family and friends, among them more than a dozen individuals who served with Jared in the Illinois Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, 33d Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Jared Southworth, also an Oakland Police officer, was killed in action on February 8, 2009, in Afghanistan. He lived by the motto “God, family, and country” and was a member of the Oakland Christian Church; he was also a devoted husband, father, son, and brother.

“This is an example of how small-town America honors one of our own,” said Kim Southworth, Jared’s mother. “Jared loved this community.” Kim recalled how people lined the streets from the airport to the cemetery on the cold winter day when Jared came home. “Thank you for the love and compassion you showed to our family.”

A friend and neighbor of the Southworths’, Linda Taber helped push for the legislation and organized the dedication ceremony.