VDOT News - Staunton

STAUNTON – On Wednesday, May 22, 2019 the Route 340 (Stonewall Jackson Memorial Highway) bridge over Compton Creek was dedicated as the United States Marine Corps Sergeant Richard T. Brumback Memorial Bridge. Located in Page County the bridge was constructed between 2010 and 2013, replacing the former structure at this location.

On September 18, 2018 the Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board passed a resolution naming the bridge in honor of USMC Sgt. Richard T. Brumback, who was killed in action during World War II. This resolution followed a resolution passed by the Page County Board of Supervisors on May 15, 2018 requesting the bridge naming.

Sgt. Brumback’s niece, Teresa Brumback, said, “USMC Platoon Sergeant Richard T. Brumback was born February 7, 1918 in Rileyville where he grew up on the family farm immediately between the southwest side of this bridge and Island Ford Road. He was killed in action in the line of duty on Nov. 1, 1943, on the island of Bougainville in the South Pacific. He was the son of Thomas William and Ollie Mae Hockman Brumback, who also grew up in Rileyville. They attended Rileyville Church of the Brethren founded by his direct ancestor John Huffman.”

She adds, “Richard was killed by a sniper while trying to scout out a good position for his platoon in the jungle of Bougainville, on the first day of the Marines' invasion of that island. I didn't come to know him until I visited his ship, the USS North Carolina. Our service members risk and sacrifice their lives every day while the rest of us take it for granted that we can live without fear, raise our kids, take them to ballgames, work, go to church, picnics and the like.”

A fact sheet on USMC Sgt. Richard T. Brumback can be found in this link: http://www.virginiadot.org/news/resources/staunton/Brumback_Fact_Sheet.pdf 

The bridge dedication ceremony was hosted by the Page County Board of Supervisors with assistance from the Virginia Department of Transportation. Event presenters include:

Master of Ceremonies, Mark Stroupe, Page County Board of Supervisors; Morgan Phenix, Page County Board of Supervisors Chairman; Teresa Brumback, niece of Sgt. Richard T. Brumback; The Honorable C. Todd Gilbert, House of Representatives, Virginia General Assembly

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Comer-Jones Post 621 of Luray, Virginia presented colors.

The event concluded with a sign unveiling marked the USMC Sgt. Richard T. Brumback Memorial Bridge.

The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.

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