They have waited for more than two years to see their dream become reality, and the wait is just about over.

Ohio Department of Transportation Director Gordon Proctor has sent local officials a letter, telling them signs will be installed within a month marking State Route 93 through Lawrence County as the Purple Heart Highway.

In the letter, dated Sept. 25, Proctor said a sign will be placed just north of the U.S. 52 interchange for northbound traffic. Another marker will be placed at the Lawrence-Jackson county line for southbound traffic.

The Lawrence County Chapter 765 Military Order of the Purple Hearts had first approached State Sen. Michael Shoemaker about the idea in 1999. He gave his immediate approval, but the resolution to name the roadway became bogged down in legislative committees. Local leaders later petitioned ODOT officials for the name change.

When ODOT officials first agreed to name the roadway for Purple Heart recipients, they indicated signs would be placed at rest areas along the highway.

Lawrence County Commissioner George Patterson said that idea was not satisfactory.

"They (Purple Heart recipients) need to be recognized and the recognition needs to be where people can see it," Patterson said. "If we ever owed anybody, we owe those people who were wounded, got their legs shot off, have scars they got for this country. The Purple Hearts deserve it."