Brookville bridge now honors World War II veteran Slagle

A World War II veteran who left a lasting mark on his community was honored by his hometown on Thursday.

Brookville has four bridges in the downtown area, and the former Pickering Street bridge will now be known as the Corporal James Slagle Bridge.

Slagle was a member of the Second Battalion of the United States Army Rangers. He was severely wounded on Omaha Beach during the D-Day landings 75 years ago.

The Brookville native returned to his hometown after the war and went into the ice cream business. The store he operated for many years stands by the bridge named in his honor.

Slagle, an active member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2014, started the Main Street Flag project. That effort led to the placing of an American flag on every light pole on Main Street. He personally maintained the flags until his death.

“It was only right for us to do this,” VFW Commander Bill Littlefield said. “Jim gave so much to this community and never asked for anything in return.”

Brookville Borough Council member Karen Allgeier, a Navy veteran, said she moved to the area in 2003, and “one of the first things I noticed was the flags and how patriotic it looked. Now every time we see those flags we can also see his name on this bridge.”

Jefferson County Commissioner Jeff Pisarcik said, “We often hear how sports people are heroes. I beg to differ. It is people like Jim Slagle who are our true heroes, who fought for our families, friends and country. We can never thank our true heroes enough for the freedoms we take for granted.”

Zack Ankeny read a letter from state Rep. Cris Dush, R-66th District. In the letter, Dush said he considered Slagle to be a role model because of his modesty and devotion.

“It is my hope today that the designation of this prominent bridge in our community will be a lasting reminder not only to the memory of Corporal Slagle’s selfless sacrifice, but to the bravery of all American soldiers who selflessly risked their lives storming the beaches of Normandy 75 years ago on D-Day,” Dush said.

Deborah Pontzer, speaking on behalf of U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-15th District, said, “We are here to celebrate the life of a man. The men and women who serve our country are brave, strong, committed but (we) also need to remember their families who raised them, said goodbye and some of them never got to welcome them home.

“Jim came back home and he clearly had a mark on this community. Sometimes we need to take a moment and celebrate these incredible men and women.”

One of Slagle’s grandsons, Bill Barrett, said his grandfather was “a simple man,” who had three very basic values: family, country and God.

“He was a guiding force in all of our lives,” Barrett said. “He was never afraid to let us know when we chose the wrong path, but he always supported us.

“He helped to change history along with thousands of others on June 6, 1944, when he stormed Omaha Beach in Normandy. He rarely spoke of his war experience, his injuries or lengthy rehabilitation or the daily pain he endured.”

Barrett said after visiting Normandy for the 50th anniversary of D-Day, his grandfather began to share his wartime experiences.

“He did it not to glorify war or for personal recognition, but to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” Barrett said.

“The Slagle family is extremely honored to have this bridge named for our loved one. He was a humble man who would not have believed such an honor should be bestowed upon him.

“So we ask that every time you cross the James Slagle Bridge that you would pause and remember all of the men and women who valiantly served our country, because that is what Jim Slagle would want you to do.”