CRESTVIEW — Local military supporter and Military Appreciation and Recognition Celebration founder Bob Lynn died July 30 before he could see his last project realized.
Just 11 days before his death, Lynn's longtime friend, Brig. Gen. Mark Stogsdill, died as well. Lynn undertook an effort involving area civic, military and congressional leaders to name the 77th Special Forces Way overpass on State Road 85 for Stogsdill.
“It can be done for little or no expense,” Lynn said, describing the project to the News Bulletin on July 25.
The overpass connects the Air Force’s Duke Field on the east side of the highway with the Army’s 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) cantonment on the west side.
ROUNDING UP SUPPORT
Lynn had already contacted local and state leaders, including Mayor David Cadle, Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Valerie Lott and board chairman Dawn Mann, Okaloosa County Commissioners Nathan Boyles and Wayne Harris, and state Rep. Matt Gaetz, all of whom, he said, supported the initiative.
Harris, who sponsored a board of commissioners resolution in support of the project, said the decision was an easy one to make.
“I was pleased to put together a county resolution supporting the project,” he said. “Mark, being a commander of Duke Field, and given his position in our community, it would be a fabulous idea to honor him.”
The resolution passed unanimously.
SLOW DOWN
Among other assignments, Stogsdill was base commander at Duke Field during his Air Force career.
Cadle said while the initiative slowed following Lynn’s death, it was still very much alive.
“We are still working on it,” he said. “I am told it takes a year for that to be done because the overpass belongs to FDOT (the Florida Department of Transportation), not the military.”
Cadle said one step toward the process that he’s working on is writing a city proclamation in support of the project for the City Council to pass.
But losing his friend Lynn, whom Cadle said was noted as much for his organizational skills as for his support of the area’s military and veterans, was a definite impediment.
“It’s a setback on us,” Cadle said. “He is sorely missed. He was known for making sure things got done and got done right.”
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Effort to honor Stogsdill didn’t die with Lynn