×

Bridge to be named for veteran

Irvona to honor Stephenson, killed in Vietnam

An Irvona bridge will be named after a local fallen Vietnam War veteran at a dedication ceremony Saturday at 2 p.m.

The bridge will honor Lynn L. Stephenson, an Irvona native who was killed at 20 years old while serving in Vietnam.

“Everyone here is happy it’s going to be named after a veteran,” said Irvona Veterans Memorial Co. member Donna Morrison of the bridge. “It all started when we had this bridge, and we thought that’d be good to honor a local veteran.”

The town also has a bridge named after Mary Ellen Tiesi, an Irvona native who died in the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York in 2001.

Another bridge in town is being reconstructed and will be named after Bill Smeal, a local fallen World War II veteran from Irvona.

The bridge will be completed this November, and the dedication ceremony will take place for it sometime next year, according to Irvona Mayor John Cramer.

Cramer said he is excited for Saturday’s ceremony.

“He went willingly without question to Vietnam,” Cramer said of Stephenson. “All veterans gave some and some gave all, so naming the bridge in his honor is a way to pay homage to him and his service.”

Irvona is a community of many veterans, Cramer said, and the ceremony will be a way to highlight the town’s reputation for military service.

“It’s bringing the community together and honoring veterans who serve now and who served in the past,” Cramer said. “We’ve come a long way here in dedicating our military people.”

“People like that need recognition,” Morrison said of Stephenson. “Vietnam veterans have all been ignored for years.”

Mirror Staff Writer Andrew Mollenauer is at 814-946-7428.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today