Jebavy Dr. in Hamlin Twp. to be dedicated in memory of Spc. Joe Lancour.

Sheriff Cole, left, with Rob and Sue Lancour.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

HAMLIN TOWNSHIP — Along a quiet portion of the north end of Jebavy Drive this morning, a quiet, unofficial ceremony took place. The Mason County Road Commission installed the first of two signs designating Jebavy Drive between Jagger and Barnhart roads as the Army Specialist Joseph Lancour Memorial Drive. Lancour’s parents, Rob and Sue Lancour watched as the sign was installed. Also present were Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole and Wayne Schoonover, manager of the Mason County Road Commission. The official dedication takes place Friday at 10 a.m. at the Hamlin Township Hall.

Joe Lancour was a 2004 graduate of Ludington High School who joined the Army in Feb. 2006. He was a member of the 173rd Airborne Brigade and was deployed to Afghanistan in August 2007. On Nov. 9, 2007, Lancour was one of five soldiers whose patrol was attacked in an ambush, according to the US Department of Defense. Two of the soldiers died that day. Lancour and two others died Nov. 10.

Dedicating a portion of Jebavy Drive was the idea of Sheriff Cole. He said he got the idea after attending the dedication of a home to Eric Lund, a Ludington man whose was severely injured while serving in the National Guard in Afghanistan. A home was built for Lund on a cal du sac just off of Jebavy Drive in Hamlin Township.

“It really moved me to see what our community is capable of doing for our heroes, our veterans,” Cole said. “I thought to myself, we have a young man whose blood is on Afghani soil, a Mason County guy, a Hamlin kid. I can remember when Joe was deployed and his father, Rob, came up to me in church and expressed his concern about his son being over there. I just thought that this is the right thing to do. We have to honor those who paid the ultimate price for us, protecting our freedoms.

“I hope somebody sees the sign and thinks of this young man and what he has done for our country.”

Rob Lancour said he was honored that Sheriff Cole would think about honoring Joe.

“Last May Sheriff Cole sent me a message and asked if it was OK if the county put up a sign dedicated to Joe. Of course, I was really happy about that happening.

“Today, I stand here as the sign goes up and know that Joe will be remembered by everybody who passes by. This is really a special time and I really appreciate everything that has been done.”

Wayne Schoonover of the road commission said the topic of the sign dedication came in front of the board of road commissioners and the decision to dedicate Jebavy Drive was unanimous and quick. 

State Rep. Ray Franz will speak during Friday’s dedication ceremony. The Hamlin Township Hall is located on Jebavy Drive near Angling Road.