State approves patriotic new name for South Grafton bridge
Bill Drago, VFW Commander Stan Stopyra and Phil Gauthier examine the signed copy of the bill. PHOTO BY JENNIFER LORD PALUZZI 
Carmen Paglione, Commander of American Legion Post 92; state Rep. David Muradian and VFW Commander Stan Stopyra . PHOTO BY JENNIFER LORD PALUZZI 
Carmen Paglione, Commander of American Legion Post 92; state Rep. David Muradian and VFW Commander Stan Stopyra listen to Veterans Agent Justin Sousa. PHOTO BY JENNIFER LORD PALUZZI 
State Rep. David Muradian, center, presents the bill to Carmen Paglione, American Legion Post 92 commander, and Stan Stopyra, VFW commander. PHOTO BY JENNIFER LORD PALUZZI
On Veterans Day, of all days, veterans are often thanked for their service to their country.
A section of Rte. 122A in South Grafton — specifically the bridge that leads to the Veterans of Foreign Wars inside the South Grafton Community House — will offer a permanent “thank you” after Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday signed legislation designating it the Veterans Memorial Bridge.
State Rep. David Muradian announced the name change Monday at the VFW as part of the Veterans Day observance, noting that of 6,000 to 7,000 bills filed in the legislature each year, only a few hundred actually come to fruition.
“When there are good bills, we certain try to push them through very quickly,” Muradian said. In the spring, the bridge will receive a placard “for all the individuals who did so very much for the Commonwealth, the country and certainly, the town of Grafton.”
Copies of the legislation will be displayed at both VFW Post 1497 in South Grafton and American Legion Delisle Goulet Post 92 in the center of town.
