More than 60 people, including three state legislators, dedicated the new Saco River Bridge connecting Standish and Limington as the “Veterans Memorial Bridge” Saturday.
The bridge, installed last year by the Maine Department of Transportation, replaced an unnamed and structurally deficient bridge that was built over the Saco River in 1935, according to Standish Town Manager Gordon Billington. Route 11 was closed down from April to November during construction.
Members of American Legion Post 128 approached Rep. Mike Shaw, D-Standish, with the idea of renaming the bridge in honor of veterans. In March, the Legislature passed an emergency bill sponsored by Shaw, “To Name the Route 11 Bridge over the Saco River in Standish and Limington the Veterans Memorial Bridge.”
On Saturday morning, Shaw, Rep. John Kinney, R-Limington, and Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham, spoke at the bridge dedication. An invocation was delivered by Post 128 Chaplain Ed Spiller, and several songs were performed by the Bonny Eagle Singers. Bruce Ruobo, commander of Post 128, gave the opening remarks.
“I think it’s a fitting tribute to all veterans and those serving who can cross that bridge and feel a sense of pride that, ‘Hey this bridge is named for us,’” Ruobo said.
According to Ruobo, the idea to name the bridge in honor of veterans first came from Post 128 member, Ray Red, a Steep Falls resident who served in Vietnam.
Two plaques featuring the new bridge name, donated by New England Castings in Standish, were affixed to the bridge Saturday morning.
Diamond, who sits on the Legislature’s Transportation Committee, described the renaming of the bridge as a fitting tribute.
“I just thought it was very important that we remember the veterans that fought and died for our country,” Diamond said. “What better way than a bridge that has the strength and the longevity that connects communities – all of that stands for what the veterans stand for. I thought it was very appropriate.”
Military Jeeps arriving from Standish and Limington converge at the center of the new Veterans Memorial Bridge on Route 11 over the Saco River on Saturday.
Bonny Eagle High School student Katherine Lind sings “God Bless the USA” as Rep. John Kinney, R-Limington; Rep. Mike Shaw, D-Standish; and Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Cumberland; look on. More than 60 people, including three state legislators, dedicated the new Saco River Bridge connecting Standish and Limington as the “Veterans Memorial Bridge.”Photos courtesy of Dan Kasprzyk
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