ORFORDVILLE — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed Senate Bill 223 surrounded by its authors, local officials, and communities on March 25 in Orfordville, The law, 2023 Wisconsin Act 215, designating a portion of Wis. 11 in south central Wisconsin as the Corporal Benjamin H. Neal Memorial Highway. The section of the road being renamed extends from Orfordville to Footville in Rock County.
“A decorated war hero, Corporal Benjamin H. Neal exemplified the very best of us — showing courage in the face of danger and unwavering commitment to the well-being and safety of our nation,” said Evers. “I’m proud this bill garnered bipartisan support and we’re able to commemorate his bravery and commitment to our state and nation through this memorial highway.”
Cpl. Neal was a graduate of Parkview High School and a member of the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army. His military honors include the Purple Heart, NATO Medal, the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
On April 25, 2012, Corporal Benjamin H. Neal died from injuries caused by an improvised explosive device during Operation Enduring Freedom in Zharay, Kandahar Province in Afghanistan.
The Wisconsin law was co-authored by Senator Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit), Rep. Ellen Schutt (R-Clinton) and Rep. Clinton Anderson (D-Beloit).
“I thank Governor Evers for signing Act 215 here in Orfordville with Corporal Neal’s parents Don and Trisha and the Orfordville community,” Spreitzer said. “I am grateful to the bipartisan coalition of legislators and advocates who worked together to make today a reality.”
Spreitzer also acknowledged and thanked several longtime and dedicated advocates for the change, including Post Commander Kurt Stuvengen, the members of Wells-Davis-Young-Neal American Legion Post 209 in Orfordville, Bill Fitters and the American Legion Riders, and the American Legion Department of Wisconsin.
“It has been a long emotional road to get this accomplished,” Stuvengen said. “I watched Ben grow from a young boy to the warrior and hero he became. He is highly deserving to be remembered in this way by his fellow Wisconsinites. Regardless of how you feel about the military or their missions around the globe, ‘Remember the warrior if not the war.’”
Fitters said that the American Legion Riders of District 1 from Post 209 wanted to ensure that no one would forget Cpl. Neal’s sacrifice.
“For the Riders, seeing Ben’s name as we are heading out or returning reminds us of the importance of our mission,” Fitters said.
Anderson called the renaming a section of the road long overdue.
“Corporal Neal paid the ultimate sacrifice defending our country. I sincerely appreciate everyone who worked hard to get this done,” Anderson said.