Roadway in Minden Being Dedicated to Fallen Louisiana Soldier

This is a fitting tribute to a fallen soldier. The Louisiana Department of Transportation is holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony to re-name I-20 at U.S. 371 in Minden the "Sergeant Joshua B. Madden Interchange."

U.S. Army Sgt. Madden died December 6th, 2006, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle while on patrol in Hawijah, Iraq. He was the first Minden fatality in the Iraq War. The Sibley native was 21-years old when he died, and left behind a wife and 3-month-old son.

A House Bill was created by District 33 Representative Michael Danahay and amended by District 36 Senator Robert Adley to dedicate the roadway to Madden.

Sen. Adley will be one of the guest speakers at the event. Others include DOTD Assistant Secretary of Operations Rhett Dessell, District 10 Representative Gene Reynolds, Minden Mayor Bill Robertson and Jerry Madden.

The dedication is Tuesday at 1:30 PM. at Community House, 711 Gladney, in Minden. I hope a lot of people show up to this event to honor one of our local heroes and his family.