Causer Bill Honoring Potter County Veterans Heads to Governor's Desk

HARRISBURG – Four Potter County bridges will be named in honor of area veterans under a bill approved by the House and headed to the governor’s desk, said Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint), prime sponsor of the bill.

Under House Bill 293, the bridge carrying State Route 49 over the Cowanesque River in Harrison Valley is designated the Specialist Kenneth Wayne Lampman Sr. Memorial Bridge. The bridge carrying State Route 44 over the Oswayo Creek in Shinglehouse Borough is named the Specialist Gerald Duane Stonemetz Memorial Bridge. The bridge carrying State Route 1022 over Pine Creek in Galeton Borough is designated the Specialist Clark Robert Douglas Memorial Bridge. The bridge carrying State Route 49 over the Cowanesque River in Harrison Township is named the Private First Class Berwyn Gaylord Cole Memorial Bridge.

“These men made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and it is important that we remember their service,” Causer said. “Naming these bridges in their honor will serve as a reminder to all of us to pay tribute to these veterans and to everyone who has served or is continuing to serve our country.”

Lampman, a resident of Harrison Valley, served the U.S. Army as an aircraft maintenance mechanic with the 1^st Cavalry Division. He was killed on March 5, 1967, when his helicopter crashed in Vietnam. He was 21 years old.

Stonemetz of Shinglehouse served in the U.S. Army and died in a vehicle crash in Vietnam on Jan. 8, 1969, at the age of 21. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon and Marksman Badge with rifle bar.

Douglas of Galeton was a U.S. Army medic with the 1^st Air Calvary Division Charlie Company. He was killed while administering aid to a wounded soldier on Nov. 11, 1969, and posthumously was presented with the Distinguished Service Cross. He was 21 years old.

Cole, a resident of Elmer in Harrison Township, was drafted into the U.S. Army and was killed in action at the Battle of the Bulge on Dec. 21, 1944, at the age of 19.

Causer previously authored legislation, signed into law last year, making additional bridge designations in honor of the county’s Vietnam veterans. Under the law, the bridge carrying State Route 607 over Freeman Run in Austin Borough was designated as the Captain Edgar E. Nuschke Memorial Bridge, and the bridge carrying State Route 872 over the east fork of Sinnemahoning Creek in Wharton Township was named the Private First Class Edward Ritsick Memorial Bridge.

Once signed by the governor, the law takes effect in 60 days.