‘A true American hero remembered’

Posted on October 22, 2014

By MARK VIOLA / Staff writer

More than 80 people gathered Monday afternoon to witness the dedication of a new bridge over the Aucilla River on U.S. 98 in honor of U.S. Army SP4 Billy Jacob Hartsfield, who was killed in action during the Vietnam War.

State and local officials, along with neighbors and friends, joined Hartsfield’s family for the ceremony, which was conducted alongside the highway at JR’s Aucilla River Store just east of the bridge

PHOTO: A number of Billy Hartsfield’s siblings and his widow, along with a host of nieces and nephews, were among those present Monday for the dedication of the new bridge in his honor, over the Aucilla River on U.S. 98. Following words from Sen. Bill Montford, County Commissioner Pam Feagle and childhood friend James Lee, the family gathered beneath the sign with the bridge’s new name to unveil it for the first time. Family members said they were too overwhelmed with emotion to speak.

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