hard deadlines

Freshman legislator John G. Edwards (D), who represents parts of Tiverton and the north end of Portsmouth, has suggested what I think is a worthy name for the Sakonnet Bridge: a memorial to RI National Guard member Christopher Potts, killed in action in Iraq in 2004.

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts, a resident of Newport, Rhode Island and subsequently Tiverton, Rhode Island, and a member of Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 103D Field Artillery Regiment, 39th Brigade Combat Team in Iraq, made the ultimate sacrifice while engaging enemy forces in combat operations near Taji, Iraq.

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts’ heroic actions resulted in his award of the Bronze Star Medal, with Combat “V” and the Purple Heart; and

WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island, as well as the majority of states across the country, uphold the tradition of naming structures such as roads, bridges and edifices after renowned and heroic individuals and there is overwhelming support for renaming the Sakonnet River Bridge the “Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts Sakonnet Bridge.”
— via RI General Assembly

If you think this is a good idea, why not join the Facebook group. (Had over 160 members as of this afternoon)

You can also vote in the Newport Daily News poll. (Where this name was leading by 3-2.)

And you might drop a line to your legislators. I think all the other names proposed have been appropriate, so I haven't felt the need to comment. But I think this deserves support.

Related: You can read additional coverage on the Sakonnet Times.

Hat tip to regular reader MM for the link.