(KMZA)--A bill to rename a five-mile portion of U.S. 77 Highway in Marshall County in honor of two Waterville men killed during the Vietnam War has been introduced in the Kansas Legislature.

The bill was introduced recently by Republican Senators Elaine Bowers, of Concordia, and Bill Pannbacker, of Washington.

The legislation seeks to rename the section of highway between Blue Rapids and Waterville the “ Corporal Allen Oatney and Specialist 4 Gene Myers Memorial Highway.”

Oatney and Myers were killed by hostile fire during the Vietnam War. Myers was killed in June 1969 and Oatney in June 1970.

According to a press release from Bowers, she and Pannbacker are optimistic that their fellow legislators share their passion and support for honoring veterans “ who have sacrificed it all for their state and their country.” The two lawmakers anticipate the bill will become law during this year's legislative session.