The City of St Pete Beach will sponsor the dedication of the Command Sergeant Major Gary Littrell Medal of Honor Bridge on 28 March, 2015 at 1000 hours on the Southeast lower landing of the bridge next to Isla-Del-Sol’s small tiki hut beach. Following the formal portion of the ceremony a bridge christening will take place as citizens, military members and veterans will follow Command Sergeant Major Gary Littrell across the bridge and admire the views afforded by the new pedestrian path along the South side of the bridge. There is no seating due to the short ceremony but ceremony observers are encouraged to bring folding seats if they desire. Vintage fire trucks and other vehicles will take disabled veterans from the ceremony across the bridge and to Pass-A-Grille Beach to join the VSPC 5th Annual Salute to the Military. This is not a rededication. It’s a dedication of the new bridge that honors one of St Pete Beach’s citizens that over a four day period of intense combat risked his life numerous times to continue to fulfill the American people’s trust and the trust of those he served alongside: “Through his indomitable courage and complete disregard for his safety, he averted excessive loss of life and injury to the members of the battalion.” The citation was read as President Richard Nixon placed the Medal of Honor around his neck on October 15, 1973.
As he notes: “This medal is not mine. I’m just the caretaker of it.” CSM Littrell’s other military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, 3 Bronze Stars, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with bronze star device, Combat Infantryman Badge. He was also inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 1993. Command Sergeant Major Littrell is humble about his courage and his 24 years of service to the United States of America. I think he’s an exceptional example of a patriot and a fine American! I’m thankful to Mayor Maria Lowe for supporting the dedication of this bridge in the name of Command Sergeant Major Littrell. Two years ago I asked District 4 Commissioner Bev Garnett if the City would support this dedication. The previous City Manager was lukewarm as he stated the bridge was built by FDOT and did not belong to St Pete Beach. I approached Mayor Lowe about this proposal. She said YES! Using her inclusive style of leadership she reached out to other citizens of the City to ask for their efforts to develop a fitting and dignified ceremony for all citizens to participate and know the story of one of our own exceptional citizens. Mayor Lowe cleared hurdles with FDOT, made the proposal to the City Commission and empowered the citizens of St Pete Beach to preserve the name of the bridge. The bridge was officially named “Command Sergeant Major Gary Lee Littrell Medal of Honor Causeway and Bridge” by House Bill 5, Section 3 of the 2010 Florida Legislature. That Bill provided for the designation of State Road 682 (Pinellas Bayway) from State Road 699 (Gulf Boulevard) to US 19 as to be named thus.
The Mayor and City staff has been wonderful in their efforts to bring this effort together. Enough cannot be said for Recreation Department Director Jennifer McMahon, Jordan Balcer, City Clerk Rebecca Haynes, 1SG Harry Metz (Ret.) President of Veterans of South Pinellas County, and the military members that will make this ceremony possible.
Information shared by Colonel Mike Greiger, St Pete Beach resident
Find out more here: http://archive.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/viewpoints/articles/0925littrell0925.html