VietNow National Magazine

A Bridge of Honor
Connecting us to those who served above and beyond the call of duty.

By Karen St. John

When finished and dedicated, this bridge on the Indiana "Hoosier Heartland Corridor" will stand in honor of those who received the Congressional Medal of Honor.

There is nothing about the soft-spoken, gracious, and smiling Dave Shively that hints of the intense, passionate advocate he has become for a special group of veterans: Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. Nothing, that is, until you sit awhile and talk with him. The Indiana resident's passion for this group of veterans is palpable, inspiring, and unshakable. And now it is leading him into history. On May 6, 2011, a bridge on the Indiana "Hoosier Heartland Corridor," from Lafayette to Fort Wayne, will be formally dedicated to all Congres-sional Medal of Honor recipients. It will be the first bridge in the history of the United States to be so dedicated.

Several Medal of Honor recipients will be attending the dedication: Hershel Woodrow "Woody" Williams (West Virginia), Kenneth E. Stumpf (Minnesota), Ronald E. Rosser (Ohio), Harold A. Fritz (Illinois), and Sammy L. Davis (Indiana). Leo K. Thorsness (Alabama), president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, will also be there. Thorsness was a POW during the Vietnam War, and was held at the Hanoi Hilton with U.S. Senator John McCain.

How the bridge dedication got started

It was several years ago that Dave and his brother, John, were watching a television special on Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. The Shively brothers were enthralled, especially by the story of World War II veteran Hershel Woodrow "Woody" Williams. Marine Corporal Williams had received the Medal of Honor for "determination and extraordinary heroism in the face of ruthless enemy resistance" during the Iwo Jima campaign. The brothers' uncle had served on Iwo Jima, and John had written a book about the World War II campaigns in the Pacific.
Dave was so impressed by Williams that he contacted him directly to thank him for his service. The two immediately felt a connection, and have been good friends ever since. "Woody is like a second father to me," said Dave. Williams, who served as interim chaplain for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, officiated at the marriage of Dave's daughter. Dave met several other Congressional Medal of Honor recipients through his friendship with Williams, continuing to be profoundly moved by the courage and humility of all those who served above and beyond the call of duty.

It was this special group that Dave was thinking about last April, as he drove through highway construction along the "Hoosier Heartland Corridor." It was while noticing the several bridges under construction, that he remembered that a bridge in West Virginia had been dedicated to Williams. Dave asked himself, "Why not dedicate one of these Indiana bridges to all the Congressional Medal of Honor recipients?"

Dave went to Tippecanoe County Sheriff, Tracy Brown, to share his idea. Brown liked it, and knew exactly who Dave should see next: County Commissioner John Knochel. It wasn't hard for Commissioner Knochel to understand how one specific group of veterans could make such an impression on one person. Knochel has his own special group of veterans he honors: Those who are listed with his brother's name on Panel 10E of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Knochel's brother Charles was a Navy pilot who flew into hostile territory, and crashed at sea during the Vietnam War. His body was never recovered.

Knochel listened intently to Dave, and enthusiastically presented the idea at the next commissioners' meeting. All the commissioners approved the proposal, and directed Dave to the state legislature. With the help of State Senator Brandt Hershman, a resolution was quickly passed, allowing the bridge to be dedicated to the Congressional Medal of Honor recipients.

Dave Shively and Medal of Honor recipient Hershel Woodrow Williams at the 2009 Congressional Medal of Honor Convention in Chicgo. Williams is the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from the battle of Iowa Jima.

The Indiana Patriot Guard gets involved

When Lafayette resident Bill Gooden heard about the bridge dedication and the developing activities surrounding it, he offered to contact his fellow riders of the Indiana Patriot Guard. Dave was proud and pleased to have the offer of the Patriot Guard. Gooden's message to his fellow riders was in the true spirit of support and patriotism: "We will be asking for folks to step up into support roles within each of these 'mini missions' to ensure that the MOHR (Medal of Honor Recipients) are honored consistently throughout their day with us in Indiana." The volunteers who want to escort are pouring in. Dave is working with Gooden and fellow Patriot Guard rider Gene Fisher to work out the details. In addition to the Patriot Guard, the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Department will provide escorts.

Why Dave does it

Dave is spearheading all the events surrounding the day, including fundraising, media coverage, printed materials, and hour-by-hour logistics for the recipients. He even designed the highway sign that will be unveiled at the dedication. When asked what motivated him to take on this project, and to jump through the necessary political and logistical hoops, Shively said, "It's almost too simple. We just want these people to be remembered and honored. That's all." And then he shrugs his shoulders, smiles, and rolls up his sleeves.

For Dave Shively, and those who supported his idea, there is no gap between law enforcement and private citizen, political leader and voter, or veterans and non-veterans. There is instead, a bridge. A bridge of honor that answers the call for all of us to remember this unique group in a unique way.

I hope Dave will get his wish, that people from everywhere, and from all walks of life, veteran and non-veteran, will be moved to think about this wonderful group of heroes, and remember the sacrifices they made. If they remember for only the minute it takes them to cross the bridge, it will be a -minute well spent.

Congratulations to all the Congressional Medal of Honor recipients on the occasion of the dedication of your bridge. And thank you for your service above and beyond the call of duty. You are remembered.

Karen St. John is a freelance writer, whose brother is a Vietnam veteran. Visit her web site at www.stjohnjournals.com.

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