Bill to rename county bridge in honor of soldier
The state House Tuesday unanimously passed a bill authored by Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson, seeking to rename a bridge in Greene County to honor the distinguished 36-year Army career of Lt. Col. Cephus Lee Roupe.
“Col. Roupe’s legacy of service and devotion inspired me to introduce House Bill 1972,” Snyder said. “His achievements deserve to be recognized and remembered.”
House Bill 1972 would designate the bridge on Route 18 over Fish Creek in Freeport Township as the Lieutenant Colonel Cephus Lee Roupe Memorial Bridge.
Snyder said Roupe, a native of Waynesburg, died two years ago after serving his country in the U.S. Army for 36 years. His untimely death at age 54 came soon after he submitted his retirement papers to the Army.
“We lost a good, selfless patriot and soldier two years ago in Col. Roupe,” Snyder said. “However, his sacrifices and service live on, and countless generations deserve to be reminded of what he did for each and every one of us in service to our nation.”
Snyder said Roupe began his Army career as an enlisted man and worked his way to the top. After earning his aviation wings, Roupe received a direct commission to the Medical Service Corps and became qualified to operate numerous military aircraft.
“Col. Roupe, a Master Army Aviator, was considered perhaps the most experienced Medical Service Corps aviator in the Army,” Snyder said. “Because of his expertise, Col. Roupe served expertly and proudly.”
During his 36 years in the Army, Roupe saw combat duty in both the first and second Iraq wars. He also flew multiple missions in war-torn Bosnia and Afghanistan.
“It would be easy to say that Col. Roupe’s story is a sad one because of his untimely passing,” Snyder said. “However, that wouldn’t do justice to the man or the spirit of devotion and service that he so exemplified.”
House Bill 1972 now goes to the state Senate for consideration.