HARWICH – The Route 124-Route 6 overpass in Harwich will be renamed Saturday in honor of a World War II veteran.
United States Navy Lt. Ralph Burns went missing in action in 1945. A ceremony is planned from 10 a.m. at Cape Tech.
Members of the Burns family will be on hand to unveil a new sign at the bridge. Lt. Burns’ son Skip was a long-time teacher in the Harwich school system. Burns’ grandson Rusty will speak at the event.
Former Joint Base Cape Cod Commander and Cape and Islands State Senate candidate Anthony Schiavi will serve as the master of ceremonies. Provincetown State Rep. Sarah Peake, who filed the legislation to name the bridge after Burns, will recite the pledge of allegiance.
The legislature and Gov. Baker approved the name change earlier this year.
The effort to rename the bridge was initially spearheaded by Bridges for the Fallen, a national organization working to name bridges after veterans. The group’s founder, Rob Mador, will also address attendees.