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Bridge honors war casualty

NILES — Nearly 60 years after his death, a bridge has been named in honor of native son Bruce R. Jones.

Jones, who served in the U.S. Air Force in 1960 and 1961 in Thailand during the Vietnam War as a jet mechanic, was 19 when he was killed accidentally.

On Sunday, signs reading “Sergeant Bruce R. Jones Memorial Bridge” were unveiled on both sides of a small bridge on South Main Street just south of the Niles Iron and Metal Co.

The Girard Veterans Council Honor Guard performed a rifle salute and played taps as veterans saluted.

About a dozen people attended the ceremony, including Jones’ niece, Stephanie Jones, and her fiancee, Daniel L’Amoureaux. Stephanie Jones said she never met her Uncle Bruce, but he is one of the reasons she joined the Air Force.

“The men in my family were all very shy and would never seek recognition,” she said. “But I’m sure my uncle would be very honored, and my father would also be very pleased.

“My uncle died before I was born, but his picture was always on the wall and I grew up knowing his story.”

Robert Marino Sr., who has coordinated efforts to get bridges in Trumbull County named for area veterans working with state Reps. Sean O’Brien, D-Bazetta, and Glenn Holmes, D-McDonald, said Jones is the 16th Vietnam War veteran and the first Ohioan killed in Vietnam to have his name placed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Marino, a retired Air Force veteran who served an aircraft loadmaster, said Jones was one of five men from Niles killed during the Vietnam War. The others were David Orwig, David Semeraro, Thomas Catlin and Gary Fleck.

Marino said he grew up across the street from Jones and his brothers Kenneth and Fred. Marino recalled with fondness tagging along with Jones and looking up to him the way younger boys look up to older neighborhood boys.

Marino said he vividly remembers the day Jones’ parents were informed their son had died, and the day he and his family attended his funeral.

“When you go to your first military funeral, you never forget it,” he said. “It’s very touching.”

jwysochanski@tribtoday.com

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