Lanesborough To Dedicate Bridge To Vietnam Hero
 Because only kin can receive copies of a soldier's medals, McKnight worked with Noonan's son across the country to get the replicas for Town Hall. |
So, McKnight has spent the last three years trying to find a way to honor Gregory A. Noonan.
His efforts are culminating in the new Miner Road Bridge being named in Noonan's honor and with copies of Noonan's medals to be displayed in Town Hall.
"He was my best friend in Lanesborough. We grew up together. We played sports together," McKnight said Monday after receiving the Board of Selectmen's approval to dedicate the bridge. "Nobody even knows that he is a town hero."
Noonan was drafted in 1968 and sent to Vietnam as a sergeant with the 9th Infantry Division. He was under heavy fire in three battles and was twice wounded — the most serious was being shot in the leg in the Mekong Delta. He earned three Combat Infantryman Badges, three Air Medals, two Purple Hearts, and a Vietnam Service Medal and three Bronze Stars for heroism — among others. He returned home in 1969.
"He wasn't just an average guy in the war. He was a guy you wanted on your side," McKnight said.
However, McKnight fears that the 1965 Mount Greylock Regional High School graduate will fade from memory so for the last three years he has been working toward creating some type of memorial. McKnight tracked down Noonan's son to get copies of the medals and worked with town officials to have a spot in town hall where they can be displayed.
Now that the Miner Road bridge is nearing a reconstruction, McKnight asked to rename it in honor of Noonan and will purchase a dedication plaque.
"I would like him to be remembered for his heroism and valor," McKnight said. "This town needs its heroes."
The Board of Selectmen approved renaming the bridge the Gregory A. Noonan Memorial Bridge and said they would like to hold a dedication ceremony.
Tags: bridge, dedication, veterans, veterans memorial, Vietnam,
