Bensalem, Pennsylvania --
On
June 22, 1968, American service members in Vietnam were engaged in the Tet
Offensive. Marines from 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, were providing
covering fire from the top of Hill 512 near Khe Sanh as Marines below them were
fighting their way into the enemy perimeter. During that time, the Marines on
Hill 512 attracted a large enemy artillery assault. That artillery barrage left
some Marines wounded and others killed in action. One of those Marines killed
was 18-year-old Private First Class Neil William Weintraub.
To honor the Bensalem, Pennsylvania, native, in 1969 a
bridge in his hometown was named, ‘The PFC Neil William Weintraub Memorial
Bridge.’ Recently, when the bridge was closed down to be worked on, some
concerned citizens took action to ensure it was re-dedicated upon its opening.
“When we heard the bridge was closed, Neil’s friend
George Delia, who is a Vietnam combat veteran, contacted Lee Cannon, who is
also a Vietnam combat veteran, and me,” said Brenda Hecklin, one of the event
organizers. “He wanted to have a re-dedication ceremony for him so he could
honor his service and sacrifice. It was important to us because it was the only
bridge that crossed over the Pennsylvania Turnpike named for a veteran, so by
extension it also honors all veterans.”
On November 14, more than 250 family, friends and community
members gathered for the ceremony. Fire engines from the Union and Nottingham
Fire Departments flanked the bridge with their ladders raised while Newport
Fire Department members rendered their salutes. Bagpipes played, followed by an
official Marine Corps Color Guard presentation of the Colors and the playing of
the National Anthem. Speeches were given by family members and state officials,
after which there was a fly over of an U.S. Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter
and a 21 gun salute.
“He will never be forgotten,” said Hecklin, a Montgomery
County, Pennsylvania native. “This bridge keeps his memory alive, and stands as
a symbol of remembrance to all who see it.”
One of the guest speakers, Pennsylvania State Senator Tommy
Tomlinson, remembered Neil as an all-American boy.
“He was a little bit younger than me when we were kids,
but we grew up in the same neighborhood, and you just don’t forget a guy like
Neil,” said Tomlinson, a Newtown, Pennsylvania native. “He wasn’t a real big
kid – we had a saying when we played Football that sometimes you had to play 20
pounds more than you were. Well, Neil played bigger than he was, and he fought
for his country bigger than he was.”
As the guest speakers told their stories, the U.S. and
Marine Corps Flags stood in the center of the bridge near the edge where cars
below could see them. As vehicles below drove by, many honked their horns to
show their support of the ceremony.
“For me to look out and see everyone coming out, and all
the support we are getting, it’s a good feeling,” said Tomlinson. “It’s been
more than 50 years and so many of us still remember Neil. I think that speaks
as to the type of guy he was. He was a real hero.”
Today, the bridge is open and anyone crossing it can stop
to see the bronze plaque mounted to its side. Those visiting the Vietnam
Memorial in Washington D.C. can also see Neil’s name on the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Wall. His name is located on Panel 55W, Line 19.