The South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs will be hosting a State Bridge Dedication Ceremony to honor Air Force Combat Veteran Captain Charles Lane, Jr.
The ceremony will be held today (Aug. 23, 2021) at 2pm (CT) at the Kortan Hatwan American Legion Post 183 in Tabor (330 W. Yankton Street).
The South Dakota HWY 81 Bridge north of Yankton over the James River will be dedicated to CPT Lane.
Lane, son of the late Bea Johnson, was raised in Tabor and in 1965 enlisted in the United States Air Force to fulfill his dream of being a pilot. In 1967 he was sent to Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base. He was on his 92nd mission when he was shot down ten miles north of Hanoi on August 23, 1967.
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 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 memory lives on in the hearts of their loved ones and our state,” said Whitlock. “Naming our South Dakota bridges in honor of our fallen will give us an opportunity of 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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