Staff photo / Bob Coupland
A dedication ceremony took place Saturday in Newton Township, with trustees naming the repaired footbridge between the east and west sides of the Newton Falls Cemetery to local veterans and thanking local veteran organizations who donated funds for completion of the project.

A dedication ceremony took place Saturday. Township trustees dedicated the bridge to American Legion Post 236, AMVETS Post 112 and VFW Post 3332 with a plaque stating that their donations played a role in the bridge’s restoration.

Despite heavy rain, more than 35 people, most under umbrellas, attended the dedication.

Trustee Chairman Pete Augusta said the local veterans organizations donated $50,000 to get the bridge restored. Work included new welded beams, paint work and other repairs.

Plaques were placed on the east and west sides of the bridge.

“We felt it would be best if we dedicate this bridge to the veterans of our community who gave their lives for us to live a better life. We have plaques put up on top of the bridge as a reminder so when people cross the bridge, it’ll be a reminder for them to think about our veterans and the sacrifices they made for us,” Augusta said.

Officials said the footbridge allows the public to travel between the two sides of the cemetery, which is split by the Mahoning River.

The township was tasked with funding the restoration project but did not have all the funding available until funds were received from the local veterans organizations. Augusta said the cemetery was started in 1813 by a donation of land from Jonathan Jacobs.

A cemetery association was founded in 1904 that helped maintain the cemetery on a volunteer basis. The association still exists today and may be among the oldest in the state, Augusta said.

He said the cemetery chapel was built in 1908 with the footbridge shortly after at a cost of $1,720 by the Ohio Steel Company.

“Eight years ago, the cemetery association handed the bridge over to the trustees to maintain. Without the help of the veterans organizations, this project would not have been possible. These veterans organizations look out for the good of our community and the welfare of our veterans,” Augusta said.

He said it was fitting the dedication fell on Flag Day.

Father James Lang, a retired Army chaplain and Catholic priest from St Michael Church in Windham, said it is important to remember all those who died in service to this country and all those who have served,

“Bridges are nothing new. They make connections between one bank and another over streams, highways or wherever a connection needs to be made.The ultimate bridge is the one our heavenly father gave us to his son, Jesus. Jesus is the ultimate bridge builder. We are called to build bridges with each other since we are all part of God’s family. Veterans know the importance of building bridges between people,” said Lang, who blessed the bridge.

The event also included a salute by the local Honor Guard and luncheon at the AMVETS Post 112.