New Bridge Named After Beloved Needham Marine

NEEDHAM, MA — There was no shortage of praise or stories when it came to Sgt. James Delaney during Tuesday’s bridge dedication ceremony in Needham.

The beloved late Needham Marine was honored Tuesday with the dedication and naming of the Kendrick Street bridge to the James J. Delaney II, USMC Memorial Bridge. Many state and local officials including Governor Charlie Baker, state Senator Mike Rush, and Needham Select Board Chairman Mike Rush spoke at the dedication.

Delaney served in the U.S. Marines during World War II and the Korean War. He was wounded in Iwo Jima before returning to fight in Korea, where he was again shot.

During his time in the Marines, Delaney was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation Navy Accomodation Medal, two Asiatic Combat Stars and the Purple Heart.

“He was a man of courage, thoughtful, loyal, hardworking, princials, a friend to me, a friend to our town, and a friend to our country,” Matthews said.

Baker, a Needham native, said we remembered once explaining to his kids why bridges and squares are named after veterans.

“It’s to remind us all that the price we pay for freedom isn’t small. It’s big and its paid for by the men and women who those monuments and squares are named after and their families, who give us an opportunity to participate in this thing called democracy,” he said.

The bridge is part of the Interstate-95/Route 128 Add-A-Lane Bridge Project.

Image Credit: @MassGovernor