The LUSJ reported today that the family of United States Army Spc. Albert R. Jex is petitioning to have the Stevens St Bridge named in his honor.
United States Army Spc. Albert R. Jex’s family is pushing for the Town and City of Lockport to name a bridge and Veteran Affairs Clinic after Lockport’s only fallen soldier from the war in Iraq.
But Lockport City Mayor Mike Tucker said he is stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to making a decision.
“I’ve taken this proposal into consideration, but when you get an idea like this, how do you properly honor everyone? Albert is not the only Lockportian who gave his life in the line of duty. We have limited streets and bridges, and hundreds who gave their life” in wars over time, Tucker said. “Every soldier’s death is important, so who’s more significant than the other?”
He approached members of the Common Council with the request Wednesday night, saying a decision to rename public property ultimately rests with them.
Aldermen echoed his sentiments about the propriety — and the risks — of the city giving more “honor” to one fallen native over the rest...
I understand the family's desire but I kind of agree with the quote above. We already have Veteran's Memorial Park on East Ave across from the hospital. I'd love to see some campaigns to see that all of those Lockportians who have fallen for our country are highlighted near the monument. Make the park "the place" to cement their legacy and give locals a single place to understand the sacrifices given by the residents before them.
And a big thank you to all the volunteers who spend their time there in the spring and summer to rebeautify it year after year.
10 comments:
It is a rough issue. It's hard to say 'no' to someone in this case, but by saying 'yes', you are setting yourself up to say 'no' in the future. It's sad to say, but it's almost best to have a flat out 'no' policy unless there's something specific on the national stage that the person had done. I'm not sure the specifics of Spc. Jex's service (although I'm in no way trying to downplay what he had done), but without something extra-ordinary (such as the soldier who throw himself on a grenade to save everyone else), it's hard to say 'yes'.
Any improvements to the Veteran's Memorial Park would be well deserved. Much to the credit of the volunteers and other donaters (I've helped out myself... when you see someone working, just ask if they could use a hand.. they generally can find something for an extra set of hands to do.. just don't do anything without their permission, please), the city gives little cash for the purchase of plants or other supplies.
TO MJ and Rocket~
I agree with your thoughts 100% ....
Granted as you both have said .. Jex...
...Moment of silence for him as well as all the soldiers that have given the ultimate sacrifice(life) ..
and no offence intended here to the family if they happen to read this blog toward Jex.
But if Lockport were to dedicate a street or bridge to every veteran (of every war) that have given a sacrfice (life) that lived in Lockport .. we would run out of street names .. and just about every street would be named something diffrent that what they are today.
While I do 100% understand Jex's familys' dedication ...if you do for one you would have to to for all...
Suggestion as Rocket said.. why not "get"(I'm sure the community will draw together to help fund it via donations) get a stone at the Veterans Memorial .. across from Lockport Hospital...
This way Jex will alwayws be memorialized and "cut in stone" that he lived here and his service to the U.S.
Just my thoughts.
~Jeff
Let's see there are a few bridges crossing the canal for past mayors, store owners etc...Why NOT for a fallen IRAQ vet?
Check out today's US&J opinion page. Thank you to Mr. Jex for his understanding and clarification. Thank you to all our Veterans for their sacrifices!
Anon... because, sad to say, there will be few people who make a direct impact on Lockport, and many good men and women from Lockport who die in the service. We could blanket the canal with bridges, and we still wouldn't have enough bridges to be able to be dedicated.
And the dumb state of the named or dedicated bridges also help illustrate the point that it's not the best of ideas to get into naming things after people until some sort of time has passed since they did the thing(s) that they were known for. Doesn't the Lake Ave bridge already have 3 names? Egads.
Greeetings~
Again let me be 100% CLEAR on this subject ..
I AM NOT AGAINST having SOMETHING ( bridge or other wise ) dedicated to a War Hero......
But where will it stop after this issue ...
Next thing you know ( if it hasnt happeneed alrady) is dedictating one of the "lock ways" stair ways ....
Not that it would be a bad thing mind you ... just do it in a bit of perspective....
Just my thoughts.
~Jeff
But let's name a bridge after the guy who helped ruined downdown Lockport. The "Bypass Lockport" Rotondo bridge. Perfect bridge to name after him though.
I'm going to have to agree...naming the bridge after Jex is going to open a can of worms for the city. To be quite honest I think naming any bridge or road after someone is quite a sketchy move. There are very few people in Lockport's history that in my opinion are worthy of having their name on a part of our infrastructure. People like Birdsall Holley and DeWitt Clinton, who have impacted Lockport in a substantial and history altering fashion are the type of people more fitting for recognition on a bridge or street. The list of those people are counted on one hand. I am quite sure Jex made an incredible impact on everyone he knew back here in Lockport. He did not however, change the course of history for Lockport.
As far as the suggestion of an additional memorial in veteran's park, that is a great idea. The company I work for helped fabricate the memorial in Wilson, which is very tasteful and well done. The skill and resources exist here in Lockport to get a really nice memorial installed in veteran's park. Having the work done by local businesses also means business owners are more likely to donate part or all of their services if it means directly bettering their hometown community.
I think King Tuck doesn't want the bridge named until he leaves office. Then they came name it for him like Rotondo's bridge.
By then I am sure he will still have a bunch of councilman who just follow him like little puppy dogs as we mostly have now ( with apologies to Jack and Kibler).
Just wow. Who cares about common sense, it's all just "King Tuck"'s ego. We get it. You don't like him. Now bring something new to the table like a big boy.
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