LT Timmerman Drive

There was an article in the Marshall Independent about Jason just this past week. Rick noticed it and passed it along. I thought that this was truly honorable.

MARSHALL — The Marshall National Guard Unit wants to rename Artillery Drive in honor of Lt. Jason Timmerman, who died while deployed in Iraq in 2005.

“It’s our way of honoring Jason and what he did,” said Sgt. Timothy Green, the officer in command of the Marshall unit. “And to honor his family for what they gave. They gave the ultimate.”

Green said Timmerman joined the Alpha Marshall unit when he joined the National Guard. He was later transferred to Charlie Company in Montevideo. Both units were deployed to Iraq at the same time and served in the same battalion.

The Marshall City Council on Monday approved introducing the ordinance to change Artillery Drive to Timmerman Drive.

Green would like the change to be made before Christmas.

City engineer Glenn Olson said at Monday’s meeting, “we would be able to have (a new) sign ready by Christmas.”

The Council will still need to formally approve the name change at a Jan. 2 meeting.

City administrator Mike Johnson said the city is required to have a hearing on the street name change because more often it requires several property owners to change their addresses.

This street, however, has only one address, the Marshall National Guard Armory, so Johnson said it would be fine to make the change by Christmas.

While Timmerman served with the Montevideo unit, Green said his ties to Marshall were strong.“He wanted to stay here,” Green said. “We were honored to have his wedding here. He had gotten used to Marshall and had ties to the unit.”

Timmerman was a good guy and a good soldier who showed determination and dedication, Green said.

“I remember when he first took his test for lieutenant, he didn’t make weight,” Green said. Timmerman was five pounds overweight, Green said.

Timmerman was disappointed but determined, Green said.“He said he’d see me the next week,” Green said.

Timmerman returned five pounds lighter the next week, Green said.

Artillery Drive was named for an officer several years ago, Green said.

The officer is now a Lt. Col. who served with Timmerman, Green said.

“He thinks it’s a great idea,” Green said of LT Timmerman Drive.

Green and the National Guard had originally requested LT Timmerman Drive but all of the letters wouldn’t fit on a 36-inch sign which is required by the city, Olson said.

Johnson said he spoke briefly with Green before Monday’s meeting about the length issue.

“They are more concerned about getting the recognition for Timmerman,” Johnson said, than of making sure LT is included.

For the actual on-line article, click here.