(Hospers)– A bridge north of Hospers will soon become a permanent memorial to a northwest Iowa soldier who gave his life while serving in Iraq.
The Iowa Department of Transportation plans to dedicate the bridge carrying Iowa Highway 60 over Willow Creek as the Private First Class William E. Thorne Memorial Bridge on August 24th, the 20th anniversary of Thorne’s death. A dedication ceremony will be held at the Iowa DOT maintenance garage in Alton before memorial signs are installed at the bridge site.
The effort to establish the memorial was led by retired Iowa Army National Guard Major and Sioux County American Legion Commander Cory Van Sloten. In a letter to the Iowa DOT, Van Sloten said the memorial bridge would serve as a lasting tribute to Thorne’s selfless service and sacrifice and ensure he is not forgotten.
The Sioux County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution supporting the designation on June 16th.
(Courtesy Community First Broadcasting’s Sioux County Radio)
