Sgt. Andrew J. "AJ" Baddick grew up on the east side of Jim Thorpe, overlooking the Lehigh River. He spent his summers swimming in the river. Then, when old enough, he guided rafters down it in his kayak.

Now, thanks to a brand-new, towering bridge that bears his name, everyone who crosses the river in Jim Thorpe will know the name of the Jim Thorpe native who died tragically in Iraq in 2003.On Friday, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation invited Baddick's family to officially open the Sgt. Andrew J. "AJ" Baddick Memorial Bridge, which will carry Route 903 over the river that was such an important part of his life. Baddick died in 2003 while serving in Iraq. He lost his life while saving fellow soldiers from a vehicle which had overturned and become submerged in water."This new bridge could not be a more fitting tribute to AJ," Joseph Baddick said. "He grew up in a house just down the street. He spent countless hours swimming in the river and escorting rafting trips down the river in his kayak. I have no doubt that my son is looking down on us with a big 'AJ smile' on his face."Dozens of Jim Thorpe residents turned out to be some of the first to legally walk across the new span. At the center of the ceremony was Baddick's family. His mother, Ann, unveiled the sign bearing Baddick's name, and helped cut a ribbon at the center of the bridge. A procession of vehicles led by the Baddick family represented the first cars to cross the new span.Congressman Matt Cartwright, and state Rep. Doyle Heffley, as well as former Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Keith McCall, commended Baddick as a soldier and a man."Ladies and gentlemen, Sgt. AJ Baddick, a native of Jim Thorpe and Carbon County, is an excellent example of courage, loyalty. His sacrifice best represents the values of the United States armed forces," Cartwright said.Speaking on behalf of Sen. John Yudichak, Jim Thorpe resident Brad Hurley said that as a man, Baddick made Carbon County proud, and as a soldier, he made the entire nation proud."It is fitting now that for all time, those who travel through Jim Thorpe will see the name AJ Baddick, a name that will endure forever as a testament to a soldier and a man who represented the best in all of us, the best of Carbon County, and the best of America," Hurley said.The ceremony was also a chance to look back at a project that began in March 2014, and has captured the attention of Jim Thorpers throughout.McCall recalled the long road to bring the funding for the bridge to the county.PennDOT District Executive Michael Rebert said the bridge could be the most significant transportation project in the county in decades."We appreciate the patience of the legislators, local officials and business owners during this project. It is an honor to open this magnificent structure with them here today," Rebert said.More than 9,500 cars use the 903 bridge each day.Rebert said he wanted to clear the air regarding rumors that the bridge was sinking - he said it is not sinking, and the reason crews are still working at the base of the bridge is because it is a phased project. He also said that keeping the old bridge for some other purpose is not feasible.The new bridge will give drivers a direct route through the east side of Jim Thorpe, eliminating a difficult intersection where the old 903 bridge sat.That bridge, which was first built in 1953 and rehabilitated in 1976, is slated to come down in August.The ceremony to open the bridge happened to fall one day after what would have been AJ Baddick's 39th birthday.Joseph Baddick asked the crowd to toast with a Yuengling lager, AJ's favorite beverage, to celebrate the birthday and the opening of the new bridge."This town was good for my son. On my many trips here I never once heard an ill word spoken about him. I know the town of Jim Thorpe loved my son. He grew up in a great town," he said.