Maine Senate gives initial support to Sen. Donna Bailey’s bill to honor local Operation Iraqi Freedom hero Captain Christopher S. Cash and rename bridge in Old Orchard Beach and Saco
AUGUSTA – On Tuesday, March 4, the Maine Senate gave initial approval to a bill from Sen. Donna Bailey, D-Saco, to honor local hero Captain Christopher S. Cash, Sr. by renaming Goosefare Brook Bridge after Captain Cash. Last week, the Legislature’s Transportation Committee unanimously voted in favor of LD 37, “Resolve, to Rename a Bridge in Old Orchard Beach the Captain Christopher S. Cash Memorial Bridge.” The bill directs the Department of Transportation to rename Goosefare Brook Bridge the Captain Christopher S. Cash Memorial Bridge.
“I am grateful that the members of the Legislature’s Transportation Committee and my colleagues in the Maine Senate gave their bipartisan, unanimous support for this bill,” said Sen. Bailey. “By renaming Goosefare Brook Bridge after local Operation Iraqi Freedom hero Captain Christopher Cash, we further memorialize his legacy and sacrifice. Captain Cash gave his life in service of defending our freedoms and protecting the values we hold dear in the United States of America. While we can never fully repay our debt to him, and all those who have served or are in active duty, we can take this small step to show our appreciation for their dedication and patriotism.”
After graduating from Old Orchard Beach High School, Cash enlisted in the United States Army in 1986, where he eventually was made a Captain. In October 2003, he was mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Commander of Company A, 1st Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Enhanced Separate Infantry Brigade, which was headquartered in Jacksonville, North Carolina. As a Company Commander, he led three platoons that provided support and protection to Iraqi citizens.
On June 24, 2004, Captain Cash personally led one of his platoons on a mission to secure two critical bridges in the center of Baqubah, Iraq. While traveling, the platoon was engaged by insurgents and Captain Cash was mortally wounded by a machine gunner while protecting his men and ordering them to take cover.
On the initial vote on the Senate floor, LD 37 received bipartisan, unanimous support. It faces additional votes in the House and Senate before going to the Governor’s desk.
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