Sep 15, 2014 2 min read

State Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson, and state Sen. Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg, will serve as hosts of a ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Friday at New Freeport fire hall to honor the distinguished 36-year Army career of the late Lt. Col. Cephus Lee Roupe of Waynesburg.

Snyder’s House Bill 1972, signed into law July 2 as Act 101 of 2014, designates the bridge over Route 18 over Fish Creek in Freeport Township as the Lieutenant Colonel Cephus Lee Roupe Memorial Bridge.

Col. Roupe died March 2, 2012, after serving his country in the U.S. Army for 36 years. His untimely death at age 54 came soon after he submitted his retirement papers to the Army.

Col. Roupe began his Army career as an enlisted man and worked his way to the top. After receiving his aviation wings, Col. Roupe received a direct commission to the Medical Service Corps and became qualified to operate numerous military aircraft.

As a Master Army Aviator, Col. Roupe was considered perhaps the most experienced Medical Service Corps aviator in the Army. He saw combat duty in both the first and second Iraq wars. He also flew multiple missions in war-torn Bosnia and Afghanistan.

Besides Snyder and Solobay, speakers will include Col. Kyle Campbell, commander, Brook Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas; Brig. Gen. Dennis Doyle, commanding general, Pacific Regional Medical Command, Army Medical Service Corps; and Maj. Gen. (Ret.) David Rubenstein.