Rigby: Ferndale Bridge to Be Dedicated in Memory of Local Hero

September 12, 2022

HARRISBURG - The Bridge Street bridge which crosses the Stonycreek River in Ferndale Borough, Cambria County, will officially become the PFC Lee David Meadows Memorial Bridge at a ceremony to be held this Thursday, Sept. 15, beginning at 11 a.m. The legislative act which made this possible was initiated by state Rep. Jim Rigby (R-Johnstown), author of House Bill 1641 which was signed into law as part of Act 23 of 2022. 

“Thursday’s dedication ceremony will be near and dear to my heart, and not because of having been able to get this accomplished,” Rigby said. “At the age of 10, I ‘adopted’ Lee Meadows as my hero, and I wasn’t alone in looking up to him in that way. He was a very special person to a great many people and his death hit residents of Ferndale hard. Renaming the bridge in his honor will help preserve the memory of someone who I will never forget.” 

Thursday’s ceremony will be held on the Ferndale side of the river and will include speeches by Meadows’ family members and classmates. A time for fellowship will be held afterward in the Ferndale Fireman's Recreation Hall at 618 Westinghouse Ave.

PFC Meadows was born on Oct. 1, 1951 and graduated from Ferndale Area High School in 1969. He had enlisted in the United States Army and served during the Vietnam War, beginning his tour on June 23, 1970 with the Army’s 1st Aviation Brigade, 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry, C Troop as an observation/scout helicopter repairer. He died Sept. 15, 1970, when his helicopter took on hostile fire and crashed in Quang Tin Province.

PFC Meadows was honored posthumously with the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross and Army Good Conduct Medal. 

Questions about this or any legislative issue may be directed to Rigby’s office at 1-814-536-9818.




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
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