Life After 50 - November 2017

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Vol. 26 No. 22

Visit us on the web: www.lifeafter50online.com

November 2017

New I-25 bridge named in honor of Jim Downing By Anthony Welch

D

Photo by Anthony Welch uring the past 75 years, 104-year-old Lt. James The new sign for the newly-named Cimarron/Interstate 25 interchange bridge honoring Pearl Harbor veteran Downing has become a well-known voice Jim Downing was unveiled at an Oct. 20 ceremony at America the Beautiful Park. recounting the events surrounding Dec. 7, 1941, and deserved to recognized and decorated. Everybody is down behind him and opened fire. now the second-oldest Pearl Harbor survivor will a hero in my estimation. I am so thankful.” Nordberg continued, “He saw the rising sun on have a new bridge named for him. Downing served on the U.S.S. West Virginia as its wing and immediately knew they were under Friends, family and local politicians gathered a 28-year-old sailor when the U.S. fleet in Pearl attack. Upon arriving at Pearl Harbor, he encounfor a ceremony to celebrate the naming of the Harbor, Hawaii was attacked by Japanese forces on tered thick black smoke and no clear way to get to newly-constructed I-25 and Cimarron Bridge in Dec. 7, 1941. At least 107 of Downing’s crewmates his ship, the USS West Virginia. Eventually he honor of the U.S. Navy veteran on Oct. 20 at were among the many Americans who died in the found a path, albeit a very clever one. He jumped America the Beautiful Park. The Lieutenant James attack. He was present for the dedication ceremony onto the adjoining USS Tennessee and slid down its “Jim” Downing Bridge crosses over Cimarron Street and humbly accepted the recognition on behalf of gun barrel and landed on the deck of the USS and aims to relieve a longstandmillions of active and former Virginia. Understand what Jim did. It is nothing ing issue of traffic hindrances U.S. military personnel. short of incredible. As soon as he landed on the USS and restricted lanes. Rep. Nordberg recounted Virginia, he grabbed a hose to put out fires that To view a video of the Former El Paso County Downing’s harrowing day on ceremony, courtesy of El Paso otherwise would’ve made their way to the ship’s Commissioner Sallie Clark County, visit: youtube.com/ Dec. 7. munitions locker. His efforts and actions prevented emceed the event, and El Paso watch?v=8Go0TQgu32Y.com. “You have to understand the additional catastrophic explosions and unquestionCounty Commissioner Stan history of this incredible man, ably saved additional countless lives. VanderWerf, State Representamuch of which begins on that “Jim’s heroics didn’t end there. He tended to tives Dan Nordberg and Tony Exum, and State day of infamy in 1941. On this fateful morning, Jim his injured shipmates and to those mortally Senator Michael Merrifield spoke at the event. was at his home when he began hearing explosions wounded. He went around and memorized the Nordberg, Exum and Merrifield, along with Sen. in the distance. Minutes later, a shell exploded in his names on their dog tags to ensure that their loved Bob Gardner co-sponsored the state resolution backyard. He immediately knew something was ones would know what happened that day. He took naming the bridge after Downing. terribly, terribly wrong. Jim made the hectic drive to it upon himself to personally write each and every “We salute all of you,” Downing said, dressed the harbor. As he was in route, a plane swooped in his U.S. Navy dress uniform. “All of you See DOWNING, page 5

On the Web

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Italian restaurant serves up rich family tradition

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