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Farmington, Lawrence family watch as bridge dedicated to a hometown hero

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Members of the Lawrence family after receiving their bridge dedication commemorative plaques on Sunday. (Rochester Voice photos)

FARMINGTON - In an emotional ceremony that highlighted Farmington's Memorial Day parade and observances, the Main Street bridge was named for a true American hero.

As the bridge was officially dedicated as the Major John Lawrence Memorial Bridge around 2 p.m. on Sunday, members of Lawrence's family beamed with pride while remembering his sacrifice.

"His mom and dad would be so proud," said Sharon Glidden, a younger sister of Lawrence who still lives in Farmington.

Michael Christopher Lawrence and his son, John Winslow Lawrence, pose for family pictures shortly after the dedication.

Major John (Jacky, as he was fondly nicknamed) Winslow Lawrence Jr. died on Sept. 16, 1971, while deployed with the Military Assistance Command Team 91 in Binh Duong Province near Tri Tam, just northwest of Saigon.

Upon learning of an ambush of fellow soldiers a short distance away, Lawrence immediately assembled an ad hoc unit to relieve the ambushed group. They sped swiftly in jeeps and other vehicles toward the fighting.

But as the relief column moved to aid their beleaguered comrades they, too, were ambushed. Lawrence, who was in the lead, was badly wounded in the initial exchange but kept on fighting and helped to repulse an initial VC assault before being killed. Much of the unit survived after uniting with other friendly forces, but Lawrence and two others made the ultimate sacrifice.

Army Major John Lawrence during Vietnam deployment. (Courtesy photo)

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu signed the bill authorizing the naming in April at an event attended by Glidden and her husband, Malcomb.

Among the Lawrence family on hand was Lawrence's son, Michael Christopher Lawrence and his wife, of Atlanta, Ga., and their daughter and son, John (Jacky), who is named for his hero grandpa.

The parade, itself, was regarded as one of the finest in recent Farmington history, with dozens of vintage cars, firetrucks and even the Shriners in their tiny cars.

The parade began at the Farmington Cemetery., with readings and ceremonies commemorating the sacrifice of servicemen and women who didn't return from the battlefield before proceeding to the bridge for the official dedication to Lawrence.

There was also a Decorate Your Wheels contest, military vehicles and local Scout troops.

A Shriner prepares to give a side-five with a paradegoer during Sunday's Memorial Day parade in Farmington.
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