Effort to Honor Local Hero is Successful, Says Rigby

December 2, 2019

HARRISBURG – When state Rep. Jim Rigby (R-Johnstown) was elected to represent the 71st Legislative District, members of the Buchan family were among his first visitors.

“They’d been trying for years to honor their son, who died in service to our country,” Rigby said. “Completing that task became my first legislative priority, and I’m happy to say we’ve accomplished what the family set out to do.”

Rigby authored House Bill 1595, which sought to rename the Washington Street bridge over the Stonycreek River in Johnstown as the SFC Raymond R. Buchan Memorial Bridge. Last Wednesday, the legislation was signed into law as Act 102 of 2019.

“The act takes effect 60 days from the bill signing,” added Rigby. “In the meantime, we’re working with PennDOT to plan a ceremony that will include unveiling of signs on the bridge that will denote the renaming.”

SFC Buchan graduated from Westmont Hilltop and served in the United States Army for 16 years. On July 1, 2007, Buchan was killed by small-arms fire while on his second tour of duty in Iraq.

He was honored posthumously with a host of awards that includes the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal-three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Army Achievement Medal-two Oak Leaf Clusters.

The ceremony will be bittersweet, due to the unexpected death last week of Carol Buchan, Raymond’s mother.

“She was the driving force behind the legislation, and it is a privilege to have gotten to know her and the family through this process,” Rigby commented. “Even though she will only attend the ceremony in spirit, I’m glad we were able to get this done before she died.”

Questions about this or any legislative issue should be directed to Rigby’s district office at 814-536-9818.

Representative Jim Rigby
71st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Scott B. Little
717.260.6137 (office), 717.497.5967 (cell)
Slittle@pahousegop.com
RepJimRigby.com / Facebook.com/RepJimRigby