Bridge at Ark City being named for soldier with local ties

A ceremony dedicating the Sgt. Kevin A. Gilbertson Memorial Bridge will be held on Saturday, Aug. 3, at Arkansas City ­– honoring a U.S. Army soldier who died in the Iraq War. A sign with his name will be unveiled. The ceremony is open to the public.

WHO: Sgt. Kevin A. Gilbertson.

WHAT: Ceremony naming bridge for Sgt. Gilbertson. The Kansas Department of Transportation will later be placing northbound and southbound signs with Sgt. Gilbertson’s name near the bridge.

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 3, 11 a.m.

WHERE: Southeast corner of the South Summit bridge, on U.S. 77 over the Arkansas River, south side of Arkansas City.

BACKGROUND: Sgt. Gilbertson died in 2007 from wounds sustained during combat in Ramadi, Iraq. He was assigned to 1stBattalion, 77th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany. He was 24. His survivors included a wife, infant son and stepson. He is the stepson of Randy Frank who works in the Emergency Management Department for Marion County.

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