In honor of Andrew

Lance Cpl. Andrew F. Whitacre.

His memory has been honored in many ways, including with an Honor & Remember flag, the Character in Motion award and each year during a stop in his hometown as part of the Indiana Run for the Fallen.

There will now be a constant reminder of his sacrifice for all those who travel along Indiana 67 southwest of Portland.

A ceremony Thursday morning in front of Jay County Junior-Senior High School celebrated the naming of the nearby Indiana 67 bridge over the Salamonie River in Honor of Whitacre, a Bryant resident who died in military service on June 19, 2008, in Afghanistan.

“Many of you were … in that gym,” said Jay School Corporation superintendent and Retired Indiana National Guard Cmdr. Jeremy Gulley, referencing Whitacre’s funeral. “We’ll never forget. We’ll never stop honoring those who pay the ultimate sacrifice for our way of life and our freedom.”

Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1 Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California, Whitacre, 21, was killed during combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Capt. Eric Daniel Terhune, 34, Lexington, Kentucky, died in the same incident.

Don Finnegan of Honor & Remember of Indiana spoke about remembering military sacrifice while Whitacre’s Honor & Remember flag was displayed alongside him. 

“That’s why this bridge and the flag are so important,” he said. “It’s not necessarily for us in the short term. It’s for us who are going to follow us to remember Andrew’s name and all the 1.3-plus million in combat deaths, as well as many others in military service.”

Ernie Whitacre, the father of Lance Cpl. Andrew F. Whitacre, speaks Thursday during a ceremony dedicating an Indiana 67 bridge in honor of his son. Flanking Ernie are Andrew’s mother Susan Nunly (right) and stepmother Norma Whitacre (left). (The Commercial Review/Ray Cooney)

 

State Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) and State Sen. Travis Holdman (R-Markle), who sponsored the resolution to name the bridge in Whitacre’s honor, also shared thoughts during the dedication ceremony. The Indiana General Assembly approved the resolution during the 2025 session and it was signed by Gov. Mike Braun.

Prescott and Holdman unveiled one of the signs that will be put in place, flanked by Whitacre’s family. (The sign visible to drivers heading southwest away from the school was put up Thursday morning.)

It will serve as a reminder, Gulley said, to all Jay Schools students that Whitacre (Class of 2005) was one of them.

“They’re gonna go in their school buses, they’re going to drive to school, they’re going to be a part of their events and their activities,” he said. “And they’re going to cross that bridge and they’re going to see that sign. And they’ll ask questions, and it’ll be a teachable moment.”

Whitacre was the son of Ernie Whitacre and Susan Nunly, who were on hand for Thursday’s dedication. He was also survived by his fiance Casey McGuire, stepmother Norma Whitacre, brothers Ryan Murphy and Justin Miller and sister Ashley Williams.

During brief remarks, Ernie Whitacre expressed appreciation to those who spearheaded the bridge dedication process and the crowd of about 75 who attended Thursday’s ceremony.

“Thank you for everybody coming out here today,” he said.

Other speakers during the event included organizer Don Gillespie, Pastor Matt Gierhart of Fellowship Baptist Church and representatives of the offices of U.S. Sen. Jim Banks (R-Indiana) and U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Indiana).

The American Legion Post 211 Honor Guard performed a 21-gun salute.

Gulley, who served in the Indiana National Guard for 29 years, encapsulated the sentiment of Thursday’s dedication ceremony.

“Andrew was a Marine,” he said. “And the motto of the Marine Corps — Semper Fidelis, always faithful. And so will we be to his memory.”