Blackford County Receives RLF Funding

Updated: Tuesday, 22 Jun 2010, 7:18 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 22 Jun 2010, 6:45 PM EDT
Janice Allen

MONTPELIER, Ind., (WANE) - Almost a year after traveling into space, astronaut Kevin Ford returned to his hometown of Montpelier Tuesday to see a 12-mile stretch of State Road 18 dedicated in his honor.

Last August, Kevin Ford served as the pilot of Space Shuttle Discovery during a 13-day mission. The 49-year-old is a 1978 graduate of Blackford High School.

"He followed a dream and we''re here today to honor that," said Montpelier Mayor Jim McPherson. "It''s not everybody who gets to do what he has done. It''s a special day for us."

The stretch of road through Blackford County was officially dedicated as the "Colonel Kevin A. Ford Highway". It intersects with State Road 3 in Hartford City, which was dedicated last year in honor of Ford''s brother, the last Senator David C. Ford.

"I''m really proud, my kids all make me proud," said Ford''s father, Clayton Ford.

State Representative Joe Pearson and Senator Travis Holdman authored resolutions in the House and Senate to make the road dedication a reality.

"Great people in our country come from places like this," Senator Holdman told NewsChannel 15. "It''s not from Chicago, New York, Miami...It''s from Montpelier, Indiana. And, this is what makes America great."

During a short ceremony, Ford was also presented with a key to the city for his accomplishment. Local leaders also unveiled a permanent monument that''s been erected in the town park in his honor.

"I''ve known him for a long time and it''s just really cool that I know someone who went into space," said nine-year-old fan Joe Birch. "He is like a role model to me."

Ford says he''s already training to tackle another space mission in 2012. In the meantime, he''s hoping his humble beginnings can inspire others to dream big.

"I never dreamed about a highway being named after me, so that''s really a fantastic honor," he said. "Perhaps somebody will drive down the highway at some point, see the name of the highway, see that monument and look at it just a little bit more and get a spark from it."