Submitted by the Office of State Rep. Ken Gordon (D-Bedford)
The bridge that spans the Concord River on Carlisle Road/Route 225 will soon be known as the Hart-Desiato Bridge. A bill introduced by Representative Ken Gordon (D-Bedford) and Senator Mike Barrett (D-Lexington) to rename the bridge was signed by Governor Baker on Friday, December 22, 2017. The bridge will be named in honor of US Army Private First Class John D. Hart and Marine Lance Corporal Travis R. Desiato, who gave their lives within 13 months of each other serving our country in Iraq.
“This is the very least we can do to honor these two heroes,” said Rep. Gordon. “Losing PFC Hart and Cpl. Desiato so soon after they graduated from Bedford High School, where they were friends, was devastating to the Bedford community. This dedication will serve as a symbol of our appreciation for their service”.
“This shows that Bedford will never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our safety,” said Sen. Mike Barrett.
PFC Hart joined the US Army after graduating from BHS in 2002, where he participated in the rifle team, Junior ROTC, and the lacrosse team. After graduation, he trained to become a paratrooper. He earned a Combat Infantry Badge. PFC Hart was killed when his company’s Humvee was ambushed in the city of Kirkuk on October 18, 2003. He was 20 years old.
LCpl. Desiato enlisted in the Marine Corps after his graduation in 2003. He played both football and baseball for Bedford High. Desiato married his high school sweetheart before serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was killed in November of the next year when he ran into enemy fire during a battle in the city of Fallujah. He was just 19.
Governor Baker will work with Rep. Gordon and Sen. Barrett to arrange for a dedication ceremony on or near Memorial Day weekend, in May, 2018.
Loading ...
