By Nita McCann

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Dignitaries will be present Monday morning for an official ceremony naming the flyover bridge as Veterans Memorial Bridge.

Those attending the ceremony, set for 10 a.m., include Transportation Commissioner Tom King, Rep. Robert Johnson III, chair of the House Transportation Committee; Natchez Mayor Butch Brown; and Natchez Alderman Tony Fields.

The naming of the bridge at U.S. 61 and D’Evereux Drive was authorized by House Bill 1550, which passed during the 2013 regular session.

“What brought this about is that any time a bridge or segment of the road that has federal or state funds attached to it, there has to be legislation,” Brown said.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation will erect and maintain plaques marking the site. Such plaques are usually erected after the ceremony has already taken place, according to information from the MDOT.

“Veterans led the push for the naming of the bridge,” Brown said.

The new name is appropriate because it is located adjacent to Natchez’s post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The ceremony will take place at the post, located at 172 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive.

It was former VFW District Commander Tommy “Blackie” Williams who came up with the idea of naming the flyover bridge, said past State Commander Donnie Verucchi.

“That was right after construction began,” Verucchi added.

Williams, an active lobbyist for veterans’ affairs, died of a heart attack before he could see the plan come to fruition, but he will still take center stage.

A memorial tribute to Williams will be part of the ceremony, with a 21-gun salute and the playing of “Taps.”

And Verucchi hopes the bridge naming will serve as a memorial for all veterans.

“With the amount of traffic that passes there each day, it should serve as a constant reminder of those who served our country,” Verucchi said.