History on display at Mercer County bridge dedication

By Bill Archer

PRINCETON — More than 230 years of American history was on display at the War Memorial Building in Princeton as a myriad of groups gathered for the unveiling of the War Veterans of Mercer County Memorial Bridge, a project that represents an 11-year effort on the part of Richard Lockhart, adjutant of Camp 1694, Flat Top Copperheads, Sons of Confederate Veterans.

“Thank you, Richard Lockhart for this 11-year effort,” A.A. “Lon” Hopkins Jr., commander of Bluefield’s Riley-Vest Post No. 9, of the American Legion said. “Today, your 11-year dream has come to pass.”

Lockhart did extensive research on the Mercer County veterans killed in action in all American wars starting with the American Revolution and extending into the present war on terror. He worked with State Delegate Mike Porter, R-Mercer, to develop the resolution that names the bridge about a mile from the Mercer Mall entrance on U.S. Route 460 near the intersection with U.S. Route 19 at Bluefield. Heavy traffic on the bridge prompted event organizers to hold the dedication ceremony at the War Memorial Building.

Several groups ranging from Sons of the American Revolution to the Blue-Gray Chapter 628 Vietnam Veterans of America were represented at the event. Several were dressed in period attire or uniforms. Al Stone, as Robert E. Lee and Barry Meadows as General Ulysses S. Grant, participated for the formal sign unveiling.

John Fleming, commander of Camp 1694 served as moderator, Kenneth Hylton, whose brother, Cpl. Lonnie B. Hylton Jr., was killed in action in the Korean War, offered the invocation, and Jeremiah Murphy, a Vietnam War veteran posted the colors.

Todd Gray sang the National Anthem and Tony Whitlow, president of the Those Who Served Museum board of Directors led the group in the “Pledge of Allegiance.” The Marine Corps League, the Bluefield High School JROTC Color Guard and a color guard made up of Revolutionary War and Civil War reenactors all posted colors. Dr. Allen Hammond gave the benediction and the Marine Corps League played “Taps” at the end of the ceremony.

“By my count, there were 94 people here,” T.A. “Buddy” Warden said at the end of the service. “This was really something.”

– Contact Bill Archer at barcher@bdtonline.com