Dan's Papers -November 21, 2008 - SAG BRIDGE DEDICATED TO 19-YEAR OLD MARINE

Growing up in the tiny village of Sag Harbor, Jordan Haerter used to sit by the Sag Harbor/North Haven Bridge, near the wharf, and think about a future in the military.

In a sad, ironic twist last Saturday morning, that very bridge was renamed the "Lance Corporal Jordan Haerter Veterans Memorial Bridge," as a permanent memorial to this local marine. Haerter was killed in the line of duty in Iraq last April, at the age of 19.

Hundreds of people lined the flag-draped bridge, and the Main Street behind, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony by state officials who unanimously passed a bill (co-sponsored by Senator Ken LaValle and NYS Assemblyman Fred Thiele) to change its name in Haerter's honor. "Although renaming this bridge will never fill the hole in the hearts of Jordan's family, at least they know that his act of heroism will never be forgotten," said Thiele.

A U.S. Marine helicopter hovered overhead, as 40 of Haerter's 1st Battalion, 9th Marine comrades, also known as "The Walking Dead," stood at attention, in uniform, in Haerter's honor.

"We flew here from all over the country to pay tribute to our friend Jordan, who risked his life to save us," said Joshua Pitts, of the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, who came from his home in Oakdale, Tennessee. "We wouldn't be here without him."

Moments earlier, Haerter's Commander, Lt. Colonel Brett Bourne, had explained to the crowd that on April 22, 2008, Haerter and another marine from the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines had been guarding an entry gate of their unit's compound in Ramadi, Iraq, when a large truck accelerated toward them without stopping. They opened fire, until the 2,000-pound blast claimed their lives.

"If they hadn't stopped this suicide bomber truck, it could have exploded inside the compound, killing 33 Marines and 21 Iraqi police inside," he said. "These two men fearlessly gave their lives in self defense."

Haerter was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, Iraqi Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and National Defense Medal.

On Saturday, the crowds and numerous officials braved the pouring rain, huddling under tents to hear tributes. The ceremony, organized and led by Tom Toole, a retired Air Force Colonel of Sag Harbor, began with proclamation by Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, who was joined by Congressman Tim Bishop, Sag Harbor Mayor Greg Ferraris, and North Haven Mayor Laura Nolan.

Ferraris told of how he had accompanied the Haerter family when they brought their son's body home to Sag Harbor. "We met the plane in New Jersey, and I witnessed patriotism like I've never seen before," he said. "Jordan was truly a hero, and an asset to our village."

At a grassy spot near the bridge and wharf, Jordan Haerter was also honored with a tall, granite obelisk memorial monument, unveiled by his parents, Christian Haerter and JoAnn Lyles, of Sag Harbor.

"There was nothing my son loved more than spending time here at the harbor, on this wharf," said Christian Haerter. "We are so appreciative that the whole village raised money for this monument."

"I admire my son's discipline and courage. I know he found his direction," said his mother, JoAnn Lyles, of her only child. "I am now a gold star mother, which is not a club anyone wants to join, but the support of this close-knit community keeps me going." Lyles added that her son's cousin Jessica still maintains his web page to keep his memory alive.

A 2006 graduate of Pierson High School in Sag Harbor, Haerter was described as "a responsible and serious student" by his grandmother, Lilly Haerter. She said that, at age 16, Jordan took flying lessons at East Hampton Airport, and learned to fly solo before he got his driver's license. "As a child he always dressed as a soldier for Halloween, and he loved wearing a uniform," said his grandmother.

His grandfather, John Lyles, of South Carolina, said Haerter's long-term goal was to join the Sag Harbor Police. "At his funeral service, the Sag Harbor Police and Southampton Town Police made him an honorary member of their forces, giving him badges," he said. "But he never had a chance to live that dream, since he enlisted in the Marines right out of high school. After his boot camp training, he was only in Iraq one month when he was killed. But now he will never be forgotten in his hometown of Sag Harbor."

On the day before her son died, JoAnn Lyles received a letter from him, saying he was confident he had made the right choice, and he only worried about her.