North Branch veterans honored

Veterans from North Branch, including Marine Cpl. Johnathan Benson, would be honored by renaming a section of road and a bridge in the community, according to a pair of bills passed by the House March 24.

HF2561 would rename the bridge over Interstate 35 the Veterans Memorial Bridge, in honor of all veterans. HF2575/ SF2183* would rename a stretch of Highway 95 in North Branch the “Corporal Johnathan Benson Memorial Highway.” Sponsored by Rep. Jeremy Kalin (DFL-North Branch) and Sen. Rick Olseen (DFL-Harris), both bills were passed 133-0.

The highway bill, passed 66-0 by the Senate March 11, goes to the governor; HF2561 goes to the Senate.

Benson, a graduate of North Branch Area High School, was granted a purple heart when he was wounded during a second tour of duty in Iraq in 2006. He died of his injuries at age 21. The estimated $1,000 cost for new signs is expected to be paid by community residents, Kalin said.