HARRISBURG — Legislation to designate four bridges in the Tamaqua area in honor of local soldiers who lost their lives during the Vietnam war has become law, according to Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) and Rep. Jamie Barton (R-124). The legislation originated from a request from Wayne Truskey, a Vietnam veteran and former commander of the Tamaqua American Legion.
“The idea to dedicate these bridges came to me while seeing other towns find ways to honor their veterans,” said Truskey. “I had been thinking of ways to honor these brave young men from our town who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. As a Vietnam veteran myself, this is a deeply personal issue.”
The bill designates the following bridges:
- The bridge on Route 309 over the Little Schuylkill River in the northern section of Tamaqua near Pine Street will be known as the PFC David L. Verbilla, USMC Memorial Bridge.
- The bridge on Route 309 (Center Street) over the Little Schuylkill River in Tamaqua near River Street will be known as the CPL Howard Arthur Donald, USMC Memorial Bridge.
- The bridge on Route 209 (East Broad Street) over the Little Schuylkill River in Tamaqua near Greenwood Street will be known as the Sergeant Franklin Eugene Hosler Memorial Bridge.
- The bridge on Route 443 (Clamtown Road) over Hecla Creek in East Brunswick Township near Schuylkill Road will be known as the Specialist Gary George Geiger Memorial Bridge.
“I had the privilege of friendship with and to attend Tamaqua High School with David Verbilla and Howard ‘Buddy’ Donald. Eric Zizleman worked with Sen. Argall and his staff to identify two other fallen Vietnam veterans from our area, Franklin Hosler and Gary Geiger,” said Truskey. “Every time someone crosses these bridges, I would like them to remember that these were our friends, our neighbors and heroes. Renaming these bridges ensures that their names, their courage and stories will remain in our hearts right here in the town they called home. I would like to thank Sen. Argall and his staff members for their help in making this happen.”
“This is good news,” said Eric Zizelmann, member of the Sons of the American Legion and a coordinator of the Tamaqua Annual Memorial Day Remembrance Service. “For generations to come, people will cross these bridges and see the names of David Verbilla, Howard Donald, Franklin Hosler and Gary Geiger. My hope is that they will pause, even for a moment, and remember that these were not simply names from a distant war, but young men from our own community who had families, friends, hopes and futures, and who ultimately gave their lives in service to their country. The dedications are part of our responsibility to preserve the stories of the people from the Tamaqua area who made that sacrifice. Remembering them is at the heart of what we try to do each Memorial Day, and these bridges will help ensure that their names and stories endure.”
“As we honor those who served our country this Veterans Day, it is fitting these four bridges be named in memory of four local heroes who gave their lives during the Vietnam War,” said Argall. “These memorials will ensure their names and their sacrifice are remembered.”
“This tribute ensures that their courage, sacrifice and dedication are remembered by all who cross these bridges each day,” said Barton. “Honoring their legacy in such a lasting and visible way is one small way to make sure our area never forgets our hometown heroes.”
Argall introduced legislation earlier this year to honor the service and sacrifice of these four local veterans. The proposal was recently signed into law as Act 107 of 2026.