A group of veterans and community members gathered on the east side of the new Indian Creek Bridge on State Road 56 west of Vevay last Saturday morning to conduct ceremonies officially using the bridge to honor county veterans.
The bridge is now officially known as “Veterans Memorial Bridge”, and was designated that by an act of the Indiana General Assembly.
The idea of naming the new bridge in honor of veterans was spearheaded by Darrell Hansel, a Vietnam veteran and member of the Switzerland County Council. He contacted State Representative Bob Bischoff with the idea of naming the bridge in honor of Switzerland County veterans, and Representative Bischoff introduced legislation that officially did just that.
At Saturday’s dedication, Darrell Hansel thanked the crowd for their attendance and gave a brief overview of the process that went on in naming the bridge. The crowd then joined in reciting the “Pledge of Allegiance”, and then county council president Mike Jones spoke to the audience, thanking the state legislators for their work in getting the bill passed.
State Senator Jim Lewis, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, was on hand and spoke of the importance of remembering the sacrifices that all veterans have made in defense of freedom.
State Representative Bob Bischoff, who carried the legislation through the session to see that it was passed, also spoke, telling everyone about how men and women who have served this country deserve honors such as this one. He also thanked members of the Indiana Department of Transportation for having the new signs installed in time for the ceremony, and also thanked local and county government for their support of the project.
With the assistance of Switzerland County Sheriff Nathan Hughes and members of the sheriff’s department, traffic was temporarily stopped along State Road 56 so that a ceremonial ribbon could be cut to officially dedicate the new bridge and the new name.
The ribbon was held by Richard Adams, representing the Vevay VFW Post #5396; and Lowell Wayne Sullivan, who represented Vevay American Legion Post #185.
Darrell Hansel, Bob Bischoff, and Jim Lewis cut the ribbon, opening the bridge.