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Sergeant First Class Leroy Arthur Petry Bridge Dedication

Santa Fe, NM – June 20, 2013 - The Board of Santa Fe County Commissioners would like to invite all residents to the bridge dedication naming the South Meadows Bridge (This is the South Meadows Bridge over the Santa Fe River, not the overpass bridge over 599) in honor of Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, Sergeant First Class Leroy Arthur Petry (SFC Petry). The dedication is on Tuesday, June 25 at 10:30 a.m. at the bridge. The dedication will include remarks and introduction of the Petry Family by Commissioner Miguel Chavez , District 2, Presentation of Resolution and introduction of Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, SFC Leroy Arthur Petry by Former County Commissioner Virginia Vigil as well as remarks from the New Mexico Department of Veteran Services, Cabinet Secretary Timothy Hale and New Mexico National Guard, Brigadier General Andrew E. Salas. Light refreshments will be provided immediately following the dedication.

There are two entrances for the South Meadows Bridge: Agua Fria Rd./South Meadows and 599/South Meadows roundabout. The bridge will be closed at both entrance points from 9 a.m. until noon. Parking will be available along the South Meadows road. Traffic control officers will be posted at both entrances allowing access to those attending the ceremony.

The Board of Santa Fe County Commissioners unanimously passed resolution No. 2012-162; Dedicating Santa Fe County South Meadows Bridge as the "Sergeant First Class Leroy Arthur Petry Bridge".

SFC Petry was born in Santa Fe, NM on July 29, 1979. He joined the Army in 1999 and attended basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Georgia. SFC Petry completed multiple combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq totaling 28 months of deployment. In May 2008, while assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment, SFC Petry lost his right hand and suffered shrapnel wounds after disregarding his safety, picked up a live grenade and tossed it away from his fellow Rangers. On July 12, 2011, President Obama acknowledged this selfless sacrifice by awarding SFC Petry with the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty.

In addition to the Medal of Honor, SFC Petry has earned several military decorations which include two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, three Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, National Defense Service Medal, three Army Good Conduct Medals, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Combat Star, and the Iraq Campaign Medal with Combat Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary.