http://eagletimes.villagesoup.com/p/springfield-bridge-renamed-in-honor-of-veterans/1433973
Springfield bridge renamed in honor of veterans
By ALLAN STEIN | Oct 27, 2015
SPRINGFIELD — Vermont Bridge 65 on South Main Street in Springfield has been renamed the Desert Storm Veterans Bridge to honor local veterans who served during the first Gulf War.
On Monday, selectmen voted 4-1 authorizing the name change following a brief presentation by Gerald Patch, a member of Springfield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 771.
The vote of approval was made on condition that town officials and selectmen get to review the design of the signs before they are put up.
"The VFW feels this is a worthwhile idea and has offered to pay for the necessary signs to be posted at each end of the bridge," said Town Manager Tom Yennerell.
In a letter of support, Post 771 Commander C. William Mattoon said Patch has been "actively doing research and contacting Vermont state officials on the requirements" for renaming the bridge.
Local veterans considered renaming the bridge the "Desert Storm Veterans Memorial Bridge." The memorial designation was later dropped because there were no veterans from Springfield who died in that conflict in 1991.
A number of Springfield veterans were members of the 131st Engineer Company of the Vermont Army National Guard.
Patch contacted the Vermont Agency of Transportation and the Agency of Buildings and Libraries for assistance while doing research on the bridge.
State officials said the bridge is not located on a state road. Therefore, the name change would be put to a vote by selectmen, said board Chairman Kristi Morris.
Patch is expected to present selectmen with a sign schematic on Nov. 9.
In other business, Chester architect Claudio Veliz made a presentation on "Vermonteeny" houses as a prelude to a broader discussion of possible small house construction on vacant lots in Springfield.
"The ultimate goal being to get the lots back on the grand list with a development that is consistent with, and appropriate for the neighborhood," said Yennerell.
I did not know there was a South Main Street in Springfield.
ReplyDeleteSee select board, this guy is so discombobulated living in Springfield he/she doesn't know where south main street is. Must have just moved here.
DeleteI was born in Springfield and have lived here most of my life. There's a North Main and a Main but there is no South Main. The Community House has a Main St. address and below the bridge is Clinton Street.
DeleteI think this is a great idea,but I think it should of been named something to honor all veterans from every war
ReplyDeleteIf you take the short drive up River Street across from where Dunkin Donuts is, you'll see "something to honor all veterans from every war"
DeleteYou're both missing the point. It's a very worthy honor so who really cares about the name of the street? I think anyone who lives in Springfield (or once did) knows where the bridge is.
ReplyDeleteIt has always been the Duck Inn bridge, and it always will be the Duck Inn bridge.
ReplyDeleteIt's just low budget, concrete, steel & asphalt construction of no historical, architectural, or engineering significance. Hardly worthy of any veteran's attention. Oh, that's right we get to feel good about ourselves for the effort.
Naming the bridge, fine idea. The real take from the article and the comments, always take what you read or hear in the media with a grain (or salt shaker) of salt. When you actually know something about what the article is about, always amazing how inaccurate the media is.
ReplyDeleteWow, all of you! I'd be willing to bet the people talking crap have never seen combat or even been part of the military.
ReplyDeleteI am proud of the 8 years I served in the Navy and luckily none of you can take that away from me.
There was a young Marine killed in one of the sandbox wars, it would have been nice had he been remembered. Desert Storm Bridge may catch on as a name, hard to say.
ReplyDelete