Craig Minnick, U.S. Army Veteran and Founder of the Sergeant First Class Raymond Richard Buchan Memorial Scholarship, served as the master of ceremonies.The color guard from the 458th Engineer Battalion, U.S. Army Reserve, proceeds to post the colors (American flag and Army flag).
The Chamber Singers from Westmont Hilltop (Sergeant First Class Buchan’s alma mater) sang the National Anthem at the direction of Mrs. Jenna Wilson, while World War II Navy Veteran Harry Muncert saluted the American flag.Reverend Leo F. Arnone, U.S. Navy Veteran and former chaplain, provided the invocation and benediction.Eric Hawes, U.S. Army Veteran who served with Sergeant First Class Buchan, shared some humorous stories of Sergeant Buchan and discussed his valor, loyalty, patriotism and professionalism.Thomas Prestash, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation District 9-0 Executive, discussed the importance of dedicating state bridges and highways to our fallen heroes.PA State Representative Jim Rigby, 71st District, discussed the importance of authoring a bill to rename the Washington Street Bridge as the SFC Raymond R. Buchan Memorial Bridge.Representative Jim Rigby presented Richard Buchan, Gold Star father of SFC Buchan, with this press release discussing legislation to officially name the SFC Raymond R. Buchan Memorial Bridge.Representative Jim Rigby presented Hayden Buchan, Gold Star son of SFC Buchan, with House Bill 1547 to name Buchan Memorial Bridge.House Bill 1547, authored by Representative Rigby, to rename the Washington Street Bridge as the SFC Raymond R. Buchan Memorial Bridge, and signed by Governor Wolf along with commemorative pen.Bagpiper Neil Brett played Amazing Grace.Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 155 Ritual Team fired rifle volley to honor SFC Buchan.Bugler Joseph Babik, U.S. Navy Veteran, played Taps.Bugler Walt McClelland, U.S. Army and Navy Veteran, played the echo of Taps.Representative Rigby escorts Gold Star father Richard Buchan, Gold Star son Hayden Buchan, and Gold Star brother Phillip Buchan to the SFC Raymond R. Buchan Memorial Bridge over the Stonycreek River.Gold Star son Hayden Buchan pulls the rope to unveil the SFC Raymond R. Buchan Memorial Bridge sign with encouragement from Richard and Phillip Buchan and Representative Rigby.Gold Star father Richard Buchan, Gold Star son Hayden Buchan, and Gold Star brother Phillip Buchan in front of the SFC Raymond R. Buchan Memorial Bridge.
