Heroes Way, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was founded in 2008 to honor the sacrifice of those who have fallen in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, our two most recent, and present wars, in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In July 2009, the State of Missouri passed the Heroes Way Bill, formally known as the “Heroes Way Interstate Interchange Designation Program,” which allows relatives of Missourians who died in combat during these two wars to ask that an interstate interchange or a section of a state highway be named in the soldier’s honor.

Heroes Way is committed to joining together with local communities to raise the necessary funds for the memorials, so that the families will not be burdened by the costs associated with erecting the signs. 

In February 2008, an improvised explosive device killed President Ross Gartman’s friend and fellow soldier, Brad Skelton.  Gartman sought a way to honor the sacrifice of Brad and others who were killed in combat. He founded Heroes Way in order to provide a memorial near the soldier’s hometown. 

To learn more about Heroes Way memorials and events, you can join our email list or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. 

Please use our contact form or call 573-535-6907. 

To be eligible for a memorial, the soldier must have been killed in combat during active military duty during Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq) or Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) on or after September 11, 2001. 

To apply for a memorial for a fallen soldier, download the application form here and contact your state legislator(s). A member of the Missouri legislature must sponsor the soldier, and upon application approval and funding, signs will be erected. 

Heroes Way is in the process of getting signs erected throughout Missouri. The state is broken into zones in order to localize fundraising. It may also be the case that the soldier’s family has yet to formally apply for a memorial.

While Heroes Way makes every effort to acquire information on every soldier killed in combat during OIF/OEF, we acknowledge that our records may not be exhaustive. If you know of a fallen soldier from your community, please suggest an honoree. We will conduct the follow up necessary to establish if the soldier qualifies for a Heroes Way memorial. 

While Heroes Way is only active in Missouri currently, efforts are underway to expand throughout the nation. To help initiate Heroes Way in your state, please contact us. 

Heroes Way is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Heroes Way partners with community organizations, businesses, and individuals to raise the funding necessary to erect the memorial signs. 

You can make a secure, online donation on our donation page.

Donations can also be mailed to:

Heroes Way
P.O. Box 22
Gordonville, MO 63752

Checks should be made payable to Heroes Way. We recommend you include a return mailing address or valid email in order to receive a receipt.  

Heroes Way is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and your contribution is tax-deductible. 

Absolutely. Please contact us to learn more about setting up your own fundraising event.