Marty Gordon
Contributing writer
A bridge over the New River near the Radford Army Ammunition Plant will officially be dedicated as the “Vietnam Veterans Bridge” Thursday, Aug 3.
State Delegate Nick Rush introduced House Bill 1741 during the 2017 General Assembly Session, which designates the Virginia Route 114 Bridge between Montgomery and Pulaski Counties as the “Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge.”
Special signage with the designation will be placed on the bridge this fall, and the special ceremony will be held Virginia Tech Pete Dye River Course, 8400 River Course Dr., in Radford.
Both localities have agreed to cover the cost for signage on their side of the bridge.
Rush said this has been a joint effort by the Daughters of the American Revolution General William Campbell Chapter, along with the Alleghany and Pulaski Chapters.
The keynote speaker for the ceremony will be Brigadier General Lapthe C.
Lora who was born in Saigon and is the first Vietnam refugee to be promoted to general officer in the United States Army and the second of Vietnamese descent.
Previously, he served as the commander of the Virginia National Guard’s Bowling Green-based 91st Troop Command and currently serves as the Assistant Adjutant General for Strategic Initiatives.
All Vietnam Veterans are invited to provide a picture that will be included on a Veterans Board. Photos may be sent to Delegate Nick Rush, P.O. Box 1591, Christiansburg, VA 24068 or as an e-mail attachment to 114bridgepictures@gmail.com.
The Vietnam Bridge Naming Ceremony will begin at 2 p.m.
