Bridge dedicated to honor Ferndale soldier killed in Vietnam | Local News

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – The title Lee David Meadows is a reputation that vacationers via Ferndale will see typically, now {that a} state-owned bridge is devoted to him.

“He was this long-haired, hippy, peace-freak, granny-glasses-wearing dude who drove a Volkswagen that was psychedelically painted, which he referred to as by the title of ‘Zero’ as a result of that’s what the damaged speedometer learn,” stated his sister, Merrill Meadows.

He was two weeks away from his nineteenth birthday and 1000’s of miles away from his Ferndale residence when his helicopter was shot down within the Quang Tin province of Vietnam on Sept. 15, 1970.

On Thursday, the 52nd anniversary of Meadows’ loss of life, the bridge over the Stonycreek River that connects Ferndale and the Moxham part of Johnstown was devoted as a memorial for him.

Meadows voluntarily enlisted within the Military throughout the Vietnam Warfare and served within the 1st Aviation Brigade as an commentary/scout helicopter repairer.

With about 70 folks in attendance, in addition to the Ferndale Space Excessive College marching band, new indicators have been unveiled on the state-owned bridge, now referred to as the Non-public First Class Lee David Meadows Memorial Bridge.

The memorial honors Meadows’ sacrifice in safety of the residents of america and the promotion of democracy all over the world, PennDOT district government Tom Prestash stated.

It’s a “outstanding honor bestowed upon just a few,” Prestash stated of the memorial.

Based on Prestash, there are greater than 25,000 state-owned bridges, and fewer than 500 of them are legislatively honored. And based mostly on tales from Lee Meadows’ family and friends, if any of these bridges have been to be painted in brilliant psychedelic colours, this could be the one.

Meadows would have turned 71 on Oct. 1, his longtime pal Bob Forgas stated.

“I escorted his physique again to Johnstown – I bear in mind crying,” he stated. “Oh, man, that was the hardest obligation I ever had. … He had a fantastic humorousness, all the time laughing and making different folks snort. A extremely adventurous man. It’s no shock he went to the airborne, only for the joy. We used to hang around, however once you say ‘hang around,’ that sounds so bland.”

Working round city in Meadows’ colourful Volkswagen was by no means bland, he stated.

Lee, or “Leo,” as he was recognized, was a musician who performed the tuba within the Ferndale Space Excessive College marching band.

His option to enlist within the Military throughout the Vietnam Warfare continues to be one thing that puzzles his youthful sister.

“His (draft) quantity was approach again,” she stated. “What possessed him to hitch the Military, I do not know. That may be a query I’ll ask once I see him once more.”

Meadows was honored posthumously with honors together with the Purple Coronary heart, the Fight Infantryman Badge and the Nationwide Protection Service Medal.

Meadows was a big-brother determine to neighborhood youngsters in Ferndale, together with somewhat boy who Meadows’ sisters referred to as “little Jimmy Rigby.” Immediately, that’s state Rep. Jim Rigby, R-Ferndale.

On the request of Ferndale resident Karen Allshouse, Rigby initiated the official legislative course of to dedicate the bridge in honor of Meadows.

“Those that fought in Vietnam and returned have been handled poorly,” Allshouse stated. “Those that fought and died have been forgotten. Our Vietnam veterans struggled and nonetheless battle from the results of warfare. We have to thank veterans who answered the decision, fought a warfare that wasn’t understood.

“As you journey throughout this bridge, do not forget that humorous child who performed the tuba, who dutifully joined the Military and went to warfare, and bear in mind all of the women and men who fought and died for our households and for our nation.”

Dedicating the bridge for Meadows was a mission Rigby fortunately noticed to completion.

On the age of 10, Rigby adopted Meadows as his hero. Rigby helped Meadows ship newspapers and listened to his band play within the neighborhood.

“He was a really particular particular person to a fantastic many individuals,” Rigby stated.

Rigby wears a bracelet engraved with Meadows’ title and rank. He shed tears on Thursday as he led the ceremony. The bracelet was a Father’s Day reward from his youngsters, who grew up listening to tales about Meadows.

“I’ve not taken it off for the reason that day I obtained it 5 years in the past,” Rigby stated. “The truth that my youngsters remembered ought to be a message to different youngsters on the market that we don’t neglect, and that we get collectively and share, as a result of folks like this could by no means be forgotten.”