ATLANTA – Today the Georgia House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the final version of House Resolution 336. This resolution names the interchange at US 78, Killian Hill Road and Bethany Church Road, in Gwinnett County, the CPL Jonathan Ryan Ayers Memorial Interchange.
“Naming this interchange in honor of CPL John Ryan Ayers is the least we can do for one of Gwinnett County’s native sons who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,” said Rep. Melvin Everson (R- Snellville). “I am humbled by CPL Ayers, his family, and their sacrifice. For this reason I consider it a personal honor to have introduced this legislation.”
Corporal Jonathan Ryan Ayers of Snellville, Georgia, was a graduate of Shiloh High School where he served with distinction in the ROTC program and won the award for “most impressive commander” in 2002. He joined the United States Army in April 2006 and went straight from basic and advanced individual training to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, based in Vicenza, Italy. During his two years of service in the Army he was deployed to Afghanistan, where he earned the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and a Good Conduct Medal for his bravery in combat. On Sunday, July 13, 2008 he died from wounds sustained from an attack in Wanat, Afghanistan.
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Representative Melvin Emerson represents citizens of District 106, which includes portions of Gwinnett County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2004, and currently serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Defense & Veteran Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Education, Insurance, Judiciary Non- Civil, and Transportation committees.