Three area bridges will be dedicated to soldiers who gave their lives while serving their country.
On Saturday, at the Rieger Armory in Kirksville, the Patriot Riders along with Missouri State Representative Chuck Basye unveiled the three signs that will honor three fallen warriors from the area.
The bridges will be named in honor of SFC. Matthew Charles Lewellen, SGT. Brandon Maggart and PFC. Adam Thomas.
The bill proposing the bridge dedications was signed by Missouri Governor Mike Parson in July of 2021. The signs were paid for by an organization called Hero's Way.
State Representative Basye says this process, which started in 2019, makes sure that these soldiers' sacrifices are remembered as long as the bridges stay standing.
These young men will be remembered forever," Basye said. "So that's what I like about it. If you go through the other process, they're up for 20 years, and then if you don't pay the fee again with the Department of Transportation, they come down. So these are in statute and they'll be up for as long as that bridge is standing."
According to the bill, the U.S. State Highway 63 bridge that crosses over Patterson Street will be named U.S. Army SFC. Matthew Lewellen Memorial Bridge.
The U.S. State Highway 63 bridge that crosses over Business 63 will be named to U.S. Army SGT. Brandon Maggart Memorial Bridge.
The U.S. State Highway 63 bridge, which crosses over the railroad in La Plata, will be named U.S. Army PFC. Adam Thomas Memorial Bridge.
The Missouri Department of Transportation is still in the works of completing the signage that will be placed on the side of the bridges.