Posted Sunday, May 27, 2012 --- 4:17 p.m.

PESHTIGO, Wis. (AP) -- A new highway bridge in Peshtigo carries the name of a young soldier from the area killed in Afghanistan in 2009.

Private First Class Steven Drees of Peshtigo had only been inAfghanistan for a few weeks when he was injured in a June 2009 attack. The 19-year-old died a few days later.

WLUK-TV in Green Bay reports Sunday that community members petitioned local lawmakers to name the new bridge across Highway 41 in honor of Drees. His parents were on hand Saturday for a dedication. They've started a foundation in his name that has sent more than 7,000 care packages to soldiers overseas.

Other Wisconsin bridges have been named in honor of U.S. soldiers killed serving abroad.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.