Photo By Spc. Lalita Hazelett | Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Tony Tata, and other...... read more read more
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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.—A normal drive into the Fort Bragg / Fayetteville area is normally nothing special. However, now passers-by will be able to get an idea of just what this “Heros in Hometown” feeling is all about.
With ongoing construction of the new Interstate 295 connector, which will take locals in-and-around Fort Bragg quickly and easily, comes a new sight to be seen from the road—A sign. The sign dedicating a portion of the highway that runs straight into downtown Fayetteville is now on display and reads, “Airborne and Special Operations Highway.” It’s very fitting considering since that section of road leads right to the Airborne and Special Operations Museum downtown.
The Soldier who initiated this highway dedication is a former civil affairs officer of the U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), a unit that was recently accepted into the Airborne fraternity. Capt. Steven Bernard, formerly assigned here to 1st Training Brigade, USACAPOC(A) as the command education officer, decided to take action in the local community and raise some awareness for the Soldiers in it by working with community leaders to get the new highway it’s name.
“I noticed a lot of other dedicated highways in North Carolina,” said Bernard. “And I really wanted I-295 to be dedicated to the Special Operations community because of what it was doing…leading people to the museum.”
Travelers can now feel welcomed by the sign as it stands as part of the history of this city.
“It’s one more piece of history for this town,” Bernard added. “I’m excited for newcomers arriving to Fort Bragg that this will be the first thing they see, and it really ties in the whole ‘Heroes in Hometown’ feeling this city already has.”
But the process wasn’t easy for Bernard. From start to finish, it took years for his idea to be heard, processed and finally turned into reality.
“The idea came about in 2011,” said Bernard. “So I put together a slide presentation and got together with military leaders and reached out to the veteran’s service organizations. I had been talking with the Chamber of Commerce for a while, and everyone liked the idea, but no one could seem to get the ball rolling.”
It was then that Bernard was able to connect with former command sergeant major of the XVIIIth Airborne Corps, Joe Allen, through a scholarship program they were both involved with. Allen introduced Bernard to the staff at the Fort Bragg garrison office and they were able to make the connection, which would start the process for naming the highway.
This new highway will provide beneficial new routes to the area that will improve the flow of traffic and mobility around the Fort Bragg area.
“Not only does the road improve mobility and connectivity for the entire area but it plays a critical role by providing a direct interstate connection from I-95 to Fort Bragg,” said Tony Tata, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
“We all know first hand the important role that paratroopers, air assault troopers, and special forces troops play in the security of our nation; and their incredible commitment and selfless sacrifice will be memorialized forever in this road that thousands of people will travel every day,” added Tata.
| Date Taken: | 09.02.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.02.2014 10:30 |
| Story ID: | 140946 |
| Location: | FAYETTEVILLE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 367 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, A sign of enduring community involvement, by SPC Lalita Hazelett, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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