Honoring their father

Fowler bridge dedicated in memory of Marine veteran lost in Vietnam

FOWLER -- Dan and Tom Douglas barely knew their father. They were 6 and 5 when he went missing in action in Vietnam.

To honor him, Dan Douglas, of Fowler, went through the process of having an overpass in Trumbull County, which spans state Route 11, officially designated the U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Thomas Evan Douglas Memorial Overpass.

The overpass is part of state Route 305.

A dedication ceremony marking the distinction took place with family members, supporters and local politicians Thursday at the Fowler Community Center. It included a three-volley salute and the playing of taps.

In appreciation of its support in naming the overpass, Fowler Township received a plaque, which was given to township Trustee Todd Williams. A wreath with red, white and blue bows and the inscription "All Gave Some. Some Gave All" was given to the Douglas family.

"This has been something that's weighed on me for quite some time," Dan said. "You get caught up in life, and it gets by me. Then, I see another plaque on an overpass, and I finally stayed focused and got it done."

Several months ago, he contacted State Rep. David Thomas, R-Jefferson, to find out the steps needed to make this happen. The designation passed in legislation included in Senate Bill 52 and when signed by Gov. Mike DeWine, it became part of Ohio law Sept. 23.

Thomas said that Dan "suggested this stretch of road. He approved the name and location."

"I live less than five minutes from it," Dan said. "I travel over it, sometimes, a half a dozen times a day."

Tom Douglas, who has lived in Texas for 45 years, drove 24 hours from Corpus Christi to make the ceremony. While he stayed up to date with the dedication, Tom credits his brother for seeing things through.

"I've passed a lot of overpasses where I saw [plaque dedications], and I said, 'That'd be cool. What an honor.' Then, he made it come true with the help of everybody else. I think it's phenomenal that it happened." Tom said.

In his speech, Thomas said, "We do these road naming dedications, not as a way to push a certain agenda, but as a way to remember. It's said that a name is never forgotten as long as someone says it, and the point of naming a road is, as you're driving by, you see the name, say the name, think of the name and remember in honor that person's sacrifice, whoever he or she may be."

Serving with the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 362 during the Vietnam War, Staff Sgt. Douglas was part of a four-person helicopter crew on Nov. 22, 1965, that disappeared after encountering hazardous weather conditions during a mission in South Vietnam.

Despite extensive search efforts, the aircraft and crew were never recovered. After the incident the military promoted the crew with Douglas commissioned as gunnery sergeant. He is memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Dan explained his overall intentions for the dedication.

"It was more than just for our father. It was recognition for the military as well," he said. "This is not a sad time. This is a time to reflect, to remember not only my father, but all of the veterans, all of the active-duty men and women out there, all of the veterans that have served and all of those that gave all, who suffered the ultimate sacrifice. My heart goes out to your family and everything that you've endured.

"If it weren't for the wonderful men and women in our military today, the veterans who have served, and all of those that gave their all, we would not have what we have today."

Thomas summed up the value of Thursday's ceremony.

"To dedicate this road with a name is just a small token for folks to remember as they drive by of a sacrifice and of a life lived for others," he said.