Proper Honors Bestowed to Jack G. Hanson Bridge of Hwy 613

OFFICE of REPRESENTATIVE

Jeramey D. Anderson

JACKSON, MS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: September 12, 2018

MOSS POINT - When the new Highway 613 bridge in Moss Point was built in 1983, it was decided that it would be named after local war hero Jack G. Hanson. Private Jack Hanson was a resident of Escatawpa who was killed in action in the Korean War on June 7, 1951. He was only 20 years old. His heroic effort, that ultimately cost him his life while saving the lives of others, was honored posthumously with his being honored as a Purple Heart and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. The decision to name the new bridge after him was a great way to remember the local hero who once walked among us.

As years went by, the newness of the bridge wore off and the story of its memorialization did too. Many of those who drive over it today simply refer to it as the “613” bridge. A sign sat at the foot of the bridge branded “The Jack G. Hanson Memorial Bridge”, but nothing more. Now, thanks to the efforts of Attorney Mark Knighten and District 110 Representative Jeramey Anderson, there is an additional marker that reads, “Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient.”

According to Mr. Knighten, a distant family member of Private Hanson and an attorney in Pascagoula, he found out about his heroic relative from his mother and has been trying to get the sign amended to show the prestigious honor for the past ten years. Mr. Knighten decided to try one more time and this time phoned Representative Anderson. The Representative called MDOT and for the first time since the bridge was constructed in 1983, its landmark will be updated to include the Congressional Medal of Honor detail.

To celebrate the new sign and the life and legacy of Private Jack Hanson, family members and others will join Representative Anderson and his staff for a ceremony at the site of the new sign closest to the Pelican Landing convention center on Sunday, September 16th at 3:00 pm. This ceremony is open to other war heroes, veterans, current military, and the general public. Remarks will be made by Mark Knighten and Representative Anderson. For more information please contact Melissa Garriga at mgarriga@jerameyformississippi.com or 228-206-2129 Ext. 3.