Bridge Dedicated to Honor Vietnam Veteran

The bridge on Ski Gap Road over South Poplar Run in Greenfield Township, Blair County was dedicated as the Cpl. Clyde E. Walter, Jr. Memorial Bridge during a ceremony held on Tuesday, July 23. The event was held at the Ski Gap Community Center in Claysburg.

State Rep. Jim Gregory said they were honoring Walter.

"The family is here - It is a big family," he said, about the nine siblings present along with the Honor Guard.

Gregory said it is a testament to how much the people of Blair County love their veterans.

"Anytime we can honor them with an event like today, it gives all of those people, who knew Clyde, loved him, his family - everytime they pass his name on that bridge, it will mean something to them from here until we are not here anymore," he said. "It is one of the best things I get to do as a state legislator."

Gregory said the dedication of a bridge is a legislative process that is the same for everybody.

"We file the paperwork to make it known that we want to honor a veteran or someone of importance in our community," he said. "It goes through the legislative process and in that process, we vote on it. We vote on it in the House and then it is approved. Before you know it, here we are doing exactly what we are doing today."

Gregory said he represents many communities in the 80th District.

"Representing Claysburg as I am today, seeing the folks who are here to honor Clyde E Walter Jr with the memorial bridge ceremony, today, truly does my heart good," he said. "I have been able to hear some stories and I know that there has been some good humor shared today about Clyde, but I also know that there are some emotions that are brought back to the surface, today because he has been missed all of these years."

For his bravery and gallantry in action, Walter was awarded the Silver Star, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with "V" for heroism, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Badge with Machine Gun Bar, Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar, Good Conduct Medal and the Purple Heart.

Clyde's brother Russell Walter said that his brother always made sure that they had the flag up.

"My mother put in our hearts to do something," Russell said. "After 54 years, something ought to be done for my brother so that everybody can remember what he did for us. He gave his life for us."