Gap Creek Bridge to be dedicated on Saturday

ELIZABETHTON — The Carter County Highway Committee will be dedicating the newly rebuilt Gap Creek Bridge after two heroes of the community this Saturday.Shortly before Veterans Day on 2023, the Highway Committee voted to dedicate the bridge in honor of Staff Sgt. Ira Lynn Meredith, who was killed in action in France in World War II a few days after D-Day. Meredith grew up in the community and is buried nearby in the Meredith Cemetery.Meredith was a member of the 4th Infantry Division. He was 29 years old when he was killed on June 9, 1944. According to the resolution to name the bridge for him, Meredith was wounded but charged a machine gun nest, ultimately killing several enemy soldiers. He finally fell dead on the battlefield after taking additional gunfire.The committee held no ceremony to dedicate the bridge because it was approved while the bridge was closed by the Tennessee Department of Transportation because of needed repairs. The bridge was in the news during the time of the repair because of the need to detour around the construction project. It was during this time that another person admired in the community came to mind.Dr. Michael John Brown was a beloved veterinarian who dedicated his life to caring for the animals of the Gap Creek community. A petition was circulated through the community to name the rebuilt bridge for Brown. The committee acted on the request from the community. It then learned that the committee had already approved the dedication of the bridge to Meredith.On Tuesday night, the Highway Committee approved a plan to honor both of the beloved vets of the community. The committee agreed to display the name of Meredith on one approach to the bridge. The opposite approach will carry the name of Brown. The dual dedication ceremony will take place on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the bridge.