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Highways create ribbons of remembrance for Minnesota’s veterans
ST. PAUL, Minn.—On Veterans’ Day, Nov. 11, motorists and other travelers may find memorials honoring Minnesota’s veterans at rest areas, scenic overlooks and in the names of highways, freeways and bridges across the state, notes the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
They create a ribbon of remembrance for veterans who served from the Civil War to the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
They range from the entire length of Interstate 90 designated as the American Veterans Memorial Highway to the Bong Bridge in Duluth.
Like its namesake, the Richard Bong Bridge lifts into the air with steely purpose—to connect Duluth, Minn., and Superior, Wis. Bong was a native of nearby Poplar, Wis.
The bridge carries Highway 2 over the St. Louis River as it enters the Duluth-Superior Harbor.
Major Bong earned renown during World War 2 by hurling himself and his fighter aircraft into combat in the Pacific Theater of the war. He was one of the war’s leading fighter aces, downing 40 enemy aircraft.
Bong died in August, 1945 while flying a prototype of the U. S. Air Force’s first jet fighter.
Other state bridges honor veterans as well.
Bridges in three Minnesota cities, Mankato, St. Cloud and Fargo, share same designation, Veterans Memorial Bridge.
The Biauswah Bridge pays tribute to members of the Band of Lake Superior Chippewa who served during nation’s wars. The bridge carries Highway 23 over the St. Louis River between Wrenshall and Duluth.
Highway 23’s route in Pine, St. Louis and Carlton counties was designated by the Legislature as the Veterans Evergreen Memorial Drive to recognize people from the region who served in the nation’s wars.
Dozens of highways throughout the state have been designated to honor veterans and their service to the country. They include:
- Highway 15 is known as Veterans Memorial Highway from the Iowa border north to Hwy 60 near St. James
- Hwy 22 between Mapleton and Mankato is designated as Victory Drive to celebrate the Allied victory during World War 2
- Highway 169 from Elk River to Hwy 18 near Garrison is designated as the POW/MIA (prisoner of war/missing in action)
- Highway 371 is designated as the Purple Heart Memorial Highway to honor those who were wounded or died in combat
Interstate 94 is designated as the Purple Heart Trail - A section of Highway 210 in Aitkin County is designated as the Dale Wayrynen Memorial Highway. Waryrynen received the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously during the Vietnam War
Highway rest areas also display memorials to Minnesota’s veterans. The Albert Lea Travel Information Center at the Interstate 35 and I-90 includes a Blue Star garden that honors Minnesotans who served in the military gardens. Blue Star gardens are also located at other rest areas.
Rest areas on Highway 61 (known as the Disabled Americans Highway) include tributes to veterans. Minnesota’s 34th Infantry (Red Bull) Division is honored at rest areas on Interstate 35.
“Minnesotans honor the state’s veterans from town squares to the Capitol and its surrounding grounds,” said Kevin Gutknecht, Mn/DOT communications director. “Memorials on the state’s highway system help remind us of the contributions many Minnesotans have made by serving in the nation’s military service.”
For more information about roads and bridges honoring Minnesotans, visit: www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/statutes/?id=161.14 .
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