The South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs will be hosting a State Bridge Dedication Ceremony today (Oct. 14, 2023) to honor U.S. Army First Lieutenant Thomas M. Martin, son of career military parents, SGM Ed Martin (U.S. Army retired) and CW5 Candy Martin (U.S. Army retired).
The ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. (CT) at the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance in Sioux Falls (1600 W. Russell Street).
The James River Bridge on US HWY 14, near Huron, will be dedicated to 1LT Martin.
Martin, who was born in Huron, was assigned to 1st Squadron, 40th Calvary Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne). He died October 14, 2007, in Al Busayifi, Iraq, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small-arms fire during combat operations.
Naming bridges in honor of our combat veterans who died while serving their country is an initiative of Governor Kristi Noem and the South Dakota Departments of Military, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs.
“Whenever and wherever this nation has been called, in times of darkness and danger, as well as in times of peace and prosperity, veterans have been there and have proudly carried the torch of liberty for all to see,” said Greg Whitlock, secretary of the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs.
“Our fallen heroes are no longer with us, but their memories live on in the hearts of their loved ones and our state,” said Whitlock. “Naming our South Dakota bridges in honor of our fallen gives us the opportunity for remembrance, reflection, and respect — for honoring the men and women who gave their lives in service to this nation. They cherished liberty and loved freedom enough to lay down their lives to preserve our way of life.”
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