Normally, the gratuitous renaming of a bridge or stretch of road is to a loyal longtime bureaucrat.
Sure, there are people deserving of recognition for their work, and for most of the world, it normally happens with a decent (when earned) retirement. However, being eternally disappointed with the self serving ‘public service employees’ who find one way or another to pat themselves or their friends on the back, it’s a bit of a relief to see someone’s ( a genuine hero) name going on an impressive structure who has actually earned it.
BREVORT — An Upper Peninsula bridge was dedicated to Petoskey native and Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (Navy SEAL) Heath Robinson on Saturday.
Robinson was raised in Petoskey and graduated from the Petoskey High School in 1995. He was killed in action more than four years ago on Aug. 6, 2011, when his Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan.
Robinson’s memorial naming was attended by a couple hundred, including family, friends, and multiple veteran honor guards.
Below are some photos from the service on Saturday.Honor guards were plentiful. Including veteran’s coalitions, the patriot guard, and representatives from the upper peninsula’s veterans organizations. Not surprising, since the 1st congressional district hosts the largest percentage of veterans in the state of Michigan.
The were several who spoke for Robinson.
His pastor, a cousin, a fellow warrior, and his mother, who accepted a naming plaque from Michigan State Representative Lee Chatfield.
At the closing of the ceremony, the United states flag was folded, and ‘gold star’ balloons were released into the sky by gold star family members present.
(10)Nuh Uh.
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After carefully searching the pictures, I was unable of the tough nerd or the first US Congressional rep were in attendance for this special occasion. I can only surmise that there was no opportunity to raise taxes or stress how hard work was ongoing to repeal obamacare.
Curiously, there were some missing expected types.
The 1st district is LOADED with veterans, and the only one I saw was Chatfield, who sponsored the legislation to name the bridge. It was an absolutely beautiful day too!
Oh yeah.. Curiously, there were ZERO MDoT reps there to accept a gratitude letter. "Is there someone here from the Michigan Dept of trans? No? .."
So much for the "Kirk Steudle roadbed productions extraordinaire Memorial Cut River bridge" naming that was hoped for.
Uh, guys?
I certainly hope that no one was honestly expecting Slick Rick to show up at an event like this?
Like most of what passes for Conservatism in the republican party nowadays, it doesn't promote his agenda (read: expanding government & raising taxes).