SHARPSVILLE — As far as signs go, it’s snazzy.

At least the people of Sharpsville think so.

It’s a simple rectangle of green with a white outline around a name, rank and nickname of a native son who was killed Jan. 26 in Afghanistan.

The Sgt. David W. Wallace III “Walleye” Memorial Bridge over the Shenango River on Walnut Street will serve as a reminder of the sacrifice Wallace made for his country.

It also will bring to mind the boy who enjoyed fishing along the Shenango, the one who played his heart out on the football field and grappled on the wrestling mat.

After graduating from Sharpsville High in 2002, Wallace enlisted in the Marine Corps under the buddy system with fellow Blue Devil Mike Kulka.

He served two tours of duty in Iraq and also was part of expeditionary forces in Bangladesh and Dubai.

On Nov. 5 2008, Wallace was deployed to Afghanistan for what turned out to be his final tour. His job included identifying, removing and exploding improvised explosive devices (IEDs), conducting searches, working on vehicles and construction projects.

Wallace was also involved in building an air base and helped to construct a training village in Iraq.

He was on foot when an IED killed him. A spokesman for Camp Lejeune said another member of his unit, Sgt. Trevor J. Johnson, 23, of Forsyth, Mont., also was killed.

During his time in the service, Wallace, 25, earned a Purple Heart; Marine Corps Good Conduct, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement, Afghanistan Campaign, Iraq Campaign, Humanitarian Service, Global War on Terrorism Service, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and National Defense Service medals; Combat Action and Sea Service Deployment ribbons; Certificate of Commendation (individual award); and Good Conduct Medal Award.

On Thursday, Wallace was again honored when the Walnut Street bridge across the Shenango was officially dedicated in his name.

Members of the Marines 4th Landing Support Battalion, Landing Support Equipment Company based in Vienna, Ohio, stood guard over the proceedings.

Cpl. Randy Kibler, Ssgt. Jose Arreguin, Ssgt. Douglas Simpson, Sgt. Michael Mascari, Cwo2 Brett Jorgenson and MSgt.. Steven Sharp serve as an honor guard and were the ones who broke the news to Sgt. Wallace’s mom Carol McKay.

They’ve since remained in touch with the family to offer support during the grieving process.

State Rep. Mark Longietti, D-7th District, Farrell — a Sharpsville native — along with state Reps. Michele Brooks, R-17th District, Jamestown and Richard R. “Dick” Stevenson, R-8th District, Grove City — co-sponsored the bill authorizing PennDOT to name the bridge for Wallace and state Sen. Robert D. “Bob” Robbins, R-50th District, Salem Township, shepherded the bill through the Senate. Gov. Ed Rendell signed the bill in June.

“It gets more difficult every day,” Robbins said of honoring war dead.

After graduating from West Point, Robbins served two tours of duty in Vietnam, where he was part of a unit that transported the injured and dead.

“When I look back, they’re always 21, 23 … they never get older,” Robbins said of the casualties of war. “They were at their best then.”

Longietti noted that Thursday was the 47th anniversary of the start of the Cuban Missile Crisis — a dramatic standoff with the former Soviet Union that ended without incident because of the “readiness and capability of American soldiers.”

Those traits were also evident eight years ago, when less than a month after the Sept. 11 attacks on America, a military campaign to topple the Taliban in Afghanistan began and they continue to this day because of people like Sgt. Wallace, Longietti said.

Mercer County’s Veterans Affairs Director Gary Solander agreed.

While there’s an element of sadness to an event like Thursday’s, there’s also an element of rejoicing, Solander said.

“I rejoice that Mercer County has sons and daughters who will stand in the face of evil,” he said. “It’s an honor to serve them.”

Wallace was the first Mercer Countian to be killed in Afghanistan and the seventh person with Mercer County ties to be killed during post-9/11 military service.

The others are: Sgt. Michael A. Marzano, 28, of Greenville, killed May 7, 2005, in Haditha, Iraq; Spc. Douglas E. Kashmer, 27, who had ties to Sharon and the Reynolds area, killed June 8, 2005, in Nippur, Iraq; Sgt. Shawn A. Graham, 34, who grew up in Grove City and lived in Texas, killed Sept. 25, 2005, in Baghdad; Lt. Col. Michael E. McLaughlin, 44, of East Lackawannock Township, killed Jan. 6, 2006, in Ramadi, Iraq; Staff Sgt. David M. Veverka, 25, of Jamestown, killed May 6, 2006, in Diwaniyah, Iraq; Sgt. 1st Class Daniel A. Brozovich, 42, of Greenville, killed Oct. 18, 2006, in Ashraf, Iraq.

Graham was similarly honored when a bridge over Wolf Creek in Grove City was dedicated in his name.