Oct. 18, 2018
HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Keith Greiner (R-Lancaster) and now on its way to the governor’s desk would designate a bridge over the Conestoga River in West Earl Township in memory of Sgt. Melvin R. Wink of Lancaster County.
Wink was a native of Bareville. He grew up in Brownstown and graduated from Conestoga Valley High School before joining the Army. He was serving in the Vietnam War with U.S. Army Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, when he was killed in action on June 1, 1970, while on a reconnaissance mission in Cambodia. His unit was ambushed and taking on small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Wink was just 21 years old.
For his service and valor, Wink was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Bronze Star “V” Device, Bronze Star First Oak Leaf Cluster, Silver Star, Purple Heart, Military Merit Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal and Marksmanship for Rifle, Auto Rifle, Machine Gun and Grenade, and two Action in Vietnam Medals.
“Nearly 50 years after his untimely death, my legislation will provide a memorial tribute in Lancaster County that will celebrate the life and proud legacy of Sgt. Wink,” said Greiner. “
House Bill 2425, which was incorporated into Senate Bill 1156, would designate the bridge along Route 1010 over the Conestoga River as the Sgt. Melvin R. Wink Memorial Bridge. By establishing this permanent memorial, it is my hope that Sgt. Wink will continue to live on in our hearts and memories for generations to come.”
Once Greiner’s bill is signed into law, PennDOT will be responsible for erecting and maintaining signs designating this idyllic Lancaster County bridge in memory of Wink.
Representative Keith J. Greiner, CPA
43rd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Donna Pinkham
717.260.6452
dpinkham@pahousegop.com
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