Local and state leaders, as well as family and friends all gathered at the Salt Rock Fire Department Friday morning to honor Sergeant Daniel Pesimer.

After a ceremony, the bridge on State Route 10 over the Guyandotte River was named in Pesimer's honor.

Pesimer was a Marine gunner in the Vietnam War. He died in a helicopter crash on March 31, 1968.

His niece said he volunteered to fight in the Vietnam War not once, but twice.

"He told my grandmother that it's better for us to fight there, than for them come over here and fight us," said Connie McCoy.

Congressional Medal of Honor recipient H. Woody Williams also spoke at the event.

"You know, most states do not do this kind of dedication, of dedicating bridges to fallen heroes. I think it's a great idea," said Williams.

War veteran Ron Ferrell is the man behind the dedication. This is the tenth time Ferrell has lobbied for a memorial dedication in the state. "Before I retired in 2001, I decided this is what I was going to do to keep me busy was to lobby the legislators after folks that I know and folks that I don't know," said Ferrell.

Ferrell said it's just a small thank you for a big gift.