Interstate 80 Section Dedicated as Sgt. Nicole Gee Memorial Highway Near Fourth Anniversary of Her Death

ROSEVILLE, California – A section of Interstate 80 in Placer County has been officially dedicated as the Sergeant Nicole Gee U.S. Marine Corps Memorial Highway, honoring the Roseville native who was killed in Afghanistan nearly four years ago. The unveiling ceremony, held recently, recognized Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee's sacrifice as the fourth anniversary of her death approaches. Assembly Member Joe Patterson lauded Caltrans for their "timely, professional, and expeditious work" in preparing the memorial.

Sgt. Nicole Gee, 23, was one of 13 U.S. service members who died on August 26, 2021, in a suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. She was serving during Operation Allies Refuge, a mission focused on evacuating U.S. citizens and Afghan allies. Gee gained widespread recognition for an iconic photograph showing her cradling an Afghan infant just days before her death, with a caption stating, "I love my job."

The newly designated stretch of highway runs eastbound on I-80, from the Douglas Boulevard overcrossing to the junction of Highway 65. The dedication was made possible through Assembly Concurrent Resolution 126, which received unanimous support from the California Assembly and Senate. Assembly Member Joe Patterson and State Senator Roger Niello were instrumental in bringing this recognition to fruition.

Cheryl Juels, Sgt. Gee's aunt, expressed the family's sentiment at the dedication, stating, "The worst thing that can happen is you lose someone and they’re forgotten." She added that the family hopes drivers seeing the sign will "take a moment to remember her" and learn about her story. The Sgt. Nicole Gee Memorial Foundation was established by her family to continue her legacy.

This highway dedication is among several honors bestowed upon Sgt. Gee since her passing. She was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, and a street in West Roseville was named "Nicole Gee Drive." Additionally, the USS Iwo Jima, a ship she served on, unveiled a memorial and renamed its gymnasium in her honor, underscoring the profound impact of her service and sacrifice.