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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Bill DeWeese |
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DeWeese bill naming bridge after Vietnam veteran passes House
HARRISBURG, May 4 – State Rep. Bill DeWeese, D-Greene/Fayette/Washington, today said he is pleased the House unanimously passed his bill to name a turnpike bridge after an Army Infantryman from Brownsville who was killed in action during the Vietnam War.
Pfc. Ronald "Smokey" Bakewell was only 20 years old and had been in Vietnam just 42 days when he was felled by a sniper’s bullet, said DeWeese in comments on the House floor before the successful vote.
"We name bridges after presidents and generals, and that is well and good," DeWeese said. "But every once in a while, we get a chance to name one after a private first class. Ron Bakewell is every man. And 44 years since he laid down his life for his country in the jungles of Vietnam, we have a chance to honor him."
DeWeese noted it is appropriate that the bridge -- which will carry Route 43 over the Monongahela River between Alicia in Luzerne Township, Fayette County and the Denbo-Centerville area of Washington County – will be a stone’s throw from Bakewell’s childhood home.
"This bridge will be overshadowing where Ronny Bakewell played sandlot baseball and tackle football, because they did not play ‘touch’ football in Brownsville, Pa.," said DeWeese, who added, "The Bakewell family did not ask me to do this. His friends did."
A chief catalyst for H.B. 1281, which now goes to the Senate for approval, was Army veteran Denny Falsetto of Brownsville, who grew up with Bakewell and led the charge to have his supreme sacrifice memorialized by means of the bridge naming.
DeWeese said he is hopeful of swift Senate passage.
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