Scouts Deck Out New Milford Bridge Honoring Soldier Killed In Vietnam

NEW MILFORD, N.J. — The Girl Scouts of New Milford – all 200 of them – faithfully renew the decorations on the Merschrod Memorial Bridge on Main Street.

New Milford Daisy Troop #96970 last fall. All New Milford Girl Scout troops take turns decorating the Merschrod Memorial Bridge to honor the memory of the borough's Vietnam veteran, killed in action in 1968.
Photo Credit: *Facebook*

The Merschrod Memorial Bridge on Main Street in New Milford, decorated by the local Girl Scouts.
Photo Credit: *Lorraine Ash*

The decor is refreshed monthly to keep up with the seasons.
Photo Credit: *Lorraine Ash*

Plaque on the Main Street bridge in New Milford.
Photo Credit: *Lorraine Ash*

Lorraine Ash

08/20/2016 6:30 p.m.

The bridge was dedicated to Pfc. Lawrence Merschrod, who was killed in action at Dinh-Tuong, Vietnam, on Sept. 27, 1968. He was 20.

For summer, the bridge fencing features patriotic banners and, as usual, items symbolic of the season or holiday at hand.

Now there are flip flops and sand buckets amid the American flags and “USA” signs.

“Ten years ago, the Girl Scouts of New Milford ‘adopted’ to honor Larry Merschrod,” said Donna Colucci, service unit manager of the local scouts.

The slain soldier was the uncle of Sandy Merschrod Aab, owner of New Hair Concepts on River Road and long-standing Girl Scout leader.

Each month, all year round, a different troop dedicates an hour of its time to decorate the bridge. There are about 15 troops in the borough.

On St. Patrick’s Day, the scouts deck out the bridge in green, Colucci said. In September, the theme is fall, in October, Halloween, and so on.

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