Orono Bridge To Be Renamed In Honor Of Fallen Soldier

A bridge in Orono will be renamed this week, in honor of Army Staff Sergeant Brandon Silk.

On June 21st, 2010, Silk died when a helicopter he was traveling in made a hard landing near Gaza Ridge in Afghanistan. The Orono native was just 25 years old at the time of his death. According to the Military Times, Brandon ran track in high school and worked as a crew chief on Blackhawk helicopters during his Army career. At the time of his death, Silk was serving with the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

On Friday, June 28th, the town of Orono will honor Silk's service and sacrifice by dedicating the Brandon M. Silk Memorial Bridge. The ceremony gets underway at 2 p.m. on the northern end of the bridge, at the University Inn Gazebo. Orono Police say parking is permitted on North Main Street (across from the University Inn), and also available behind the public safety building on Main Street.