Thank you Mac for that introduction.

And I want to thank both Mac and G.R. Kindley -- our Board members with us today - for the great job they're doing.

We appreciate your leadership and your hard work.

(TURN TO MAC AND G.R. AND LEAD APPLAUSE.)

This morning we are dedicating the bridge on the U.S. 401 Bypass for Alcohol Law Enforcement Agent Troy Douglas Carr -- one of Cumberland County's heroes.

Unfortunately, I did not have the honor of knowing Troy.

I wish I had.

I did some research on Troy - I wanted to know what his family, friends and co-workers had to say about this hero.

You can believe it is nothing short of love, treasure memories, admiration and pride.

I want to share with you a few things I learned about Troy.

He was a brave young man who had a great desire to serve and protect the people of North Carolina.

Apparently this started at a young age.

His sister Christen remembers when Troy was a teenager -- he saved a friend's house from burning to the ground.

It seems his friend's aquarium light was too hot and caught the drapes on fire.

Troy broke the glass around the door entered the house and put the fire out just in time.

Thanks to Troy, there was no major damage to the home.

It was perhaps this desire that would lead Troy to a law enforcement career.

In December 1993, he joined the Alcohol Law Enforcement Agency or ALE - a time his father Tome remembers with pride and a little humor.

Troy had been working in the family construction business when he decided on a career in law enforcement.

Yes, Troy's dad was disappointed, not in his son's decision to be a law enforcement agent but because that was one hard working, dedicated, efficient employee he was about to lose.

Troy was so proud once he had joined the ranks of an Alcohol Law Enforcement Agent, he went to his Dad's office flashing around the newly printed business cards telling everyone that "Dad is just jealous because now I get to arrest people." And his superiors remember Troy as a young man who had a bright and successful future ahead of him.

Bob Stocks, Troy's training officer when he first arrived at ALE, remembers having to "push" Troy out of his office at the end of the work day and make him go home.

His willingness to do whatever it took to get the job done -- and done right - proved true throughout his short career.

And for those of us here today, we can easily see why there is no one more deserving of this honor than Agent Troy Carr.

He passed away at a young age, but his dedication, bravery and enthusiasm to serve are examples to us all.

So perhaps what I will remember most about Troy are the treasured family memories I learned about.

His sister Christen says what she cherishes most about her brother was his genuine love of life.

She said this was clear when they spent time as a family at the beach and in the mountains.

To her, he was a brother whose positive attitude touched and inspired all those around him.

She said Troy was someone who never let the circumstances, no matter how bad they may be, get him down.

Troy's father says what he remembers most is the warm and friendly grin he always had - no matter what the situation.

That is a trait we all can admire and aspire for.

Today we look back and celebrate this young man's life with fond memories from those close to him who knew him best.

We also stand here today with heartfelt gratitude and appreciation of the sacrifice he made for our safety.

Perhaps Albert Einstein described a person like Troy best when he said, "Only a life lived for others is a life worth while."

I can think of no finer words to describe Agent Carr's life and the many young men and women who work so hard every day to protect us.

I promise you that Troy Carr will not be forgotten.

Now when motorists drive on the Troy Douglas Carr Memorial Bridge, they will be forever reminded of Troy's great sacrifice and service to the state.

At this time, I'd like for Troy's parents - Tom and Rachel Carr -- and his sister Christen to come forward to accept this replica sign in honor of Troy's service to the ALE and to the state of North Carolina.

(YOU GIVE CARR FAMILY THE SIGN. THEY WILL NOT GIVE A RESPONSE.)

(MAC CAMPBELL WILL CONCLUDE THE CEREMONY)