KUSHEQUA — More than 2.7 million American men and women served in uniform in Vietnam, including more than 300,000 Pennsylvanians.

During the course of the Vietnam War, which lasted more than 19 years, 58,148 Americans were killed — including more than 3,000 Pennsylvanians, and 19 of them from McKean County.

To remember their service and sacrifice, the Route 3009 bridge over Kinzua Creek in the small community of Kushequa was dedicated Saturday morning as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge.

Frank Sirianni, chaplain of VFW King David Post 1132, Kane, offered the invocation and a closing prayer Saturday as the Route 3009 bridge over Kinzua Creek in Kushequa was officially dedicated as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge. 

Era photo by Sara Furlong

Pennsylvania Act 59 of 2019 allows for the naming or designation of areas, structures or landmarks across the commonwealth, an effort that is often undertaken to retain meaning, memory and identity within a community and that serves as a lasting tribute and educational tool.

State Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, said, “It’s been more than five decades since the Vietnam War finally came to an end and too many of those years during and after the war saw these veterans being treated with indifference at best, hostility at worst. Instead of being celebrated, they were blamed. Instead of being admired they were condemned and instead of being embraced they were ignored.

“While we cannot go back in time and right that terrible wrong, we can do better moving forward and that is what brings us here today. Naming this bridge in honor of our Vietnam veterans grants them what they deserved, what they earned — thanks, appreciation, honor and respect.”

Causer said the dedication not only honors Vietnam veterans, but also serves “as a reminder to each and every one of us — and to future generations — of the sacrifices made for us.”

Causer and state Sen. Cris Dush, R-Brookville, encouraged residents to remember, with each trip across the newly dedicated bridge, “the soldiers who served, the lives lost and the loved ones left behind,” Causer said. “And know the life you enjoy today is due in large part to their willingness to fight for us.”

Dush, a retired U.S. Air Force master sergeant whose son is a pararescueman, said, “When we dedicate these bridges and stretches of road, it’s something for us to (be reminded to) take time to remember and take time to share about the sacrifices these men and women have made.

““We are only one generation away from losing this country if we don’t share the purpose and the reason (for), and the sacrifices (made by) our military,” Dush reasoned, “then we’re in danger of losing everything that God gave us here (in the U.S.) … the blessings we have.

“Thank you for being here, thank you for acknowledging our Vietnam veterans,” Dush said. “Do what you can to make sure that the legacy that we’ve been given lives for another 250 years.”

Causer explained that the idea for the bridge naming originated with a local veteran, the late John Moffett Sr., whom Causer called “an outstanding patriot.”

Moffett, whose son John Moffett Jr. spoke during the dedication ceremony, served two tours in Vietnam with the U.S. Marine Corps, earning two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star.

“Ever the advocate for his fellow marines and veterans, he also started the Bob Swanson Marine Corps League in Mount Jewett,” Causer noted. “Without his advocacy and leadership, we wouldn’t be here today.
“While he is no longer here with us in person, I am certain he’s here with us in spirit and I thank him for both his service to our country and for his work to dedicate this bridge in honor of his fellow veterans.”

Don Wenner and McKean County Veterans Affairs Director Alvin Loveless also offered comments, prior to Causer and Dush revealing the newly installed bridge marker. Frank Sirianni, chaplain of VFW King David Post 1132, Kane, offered the invocation and a closing prayer. Mount Jewett American Legion Post 547 presented the colors.

Causer noted during his remarks that, even if the bridge is ever replaced, it will still carry this memorial designation.

“One hundred years from now — when we’re all gone — it will still be known,” Causer said, “as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge.”