Lawrenceburg bridges to be renamed in honor of Vietnam heroes

(LAWRENCEBURG, Ind.) – Families of two American heroes were part of a sign unveiling during the America 250 Celebration in Lawrenceburg on Saturday. 

The bridges on U.S. 50 over Tanners Creek in Lawrenceburg will soon be named after two local Vietnam soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. 

The westbound flyover bridge will be known as the "Thomas G. Denning Memorial Bridge."

Tommy Denning was a 19-year-old Marine who was killed while leading an assault at Quang Tri. His name is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Panel 16E, Line 1.

The eastbound bridge will soon be known as the "Lary D. Fogle Memorial Bridge.”

Lary D. Fogle was an Army airborne paratrooper who was the first Dearborn County resident to be killed in Vietnam. He was 18-years-old at the time of his death and his name is memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Panel 4E, Line 30.

Both Fogle and Denning graduated from Lawrenceburg High School in 1965. 

The renaming of the bridges was made possible through legislation authored by State Rep. Garrett Bascom (R-District 68) and sponsored by State Senator Randy Maxwell (R-District 42). 

"These two hometown heroes showed their dedication to our country and its ideals, giving everything they had in their service," Bascom said. "This name change serves as a reminder to the residents of Lawrenceburg of the sacrifices men like Fogle and Denning have made for our country's freedom and security."

Vietnam veteran PG Gentrup was joined by Rep. Bascom, Sen. Maxwell and the families of both Fogle and Denning for the road sign unveiling Saturday.