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Oklahoma Bridge Named After Fallen Soldier

The community remembered a River Valley soldier Wednesday killed in Afghanistan. Family and friends were there as the state renamed a bridge after fallen soldie...

The community remembered a River Valley soldier Wednesday killed in Afghanistan. Family and friends were there as the Oklahoma officials renamed a bridge after fallen soldier Sgt. Vincent Owens.

Crews cut traffic down to one lane along Highway 271 between Spiro and Pocola. Friends and family gathered by the road Wednesday to remember Owens.

“He was always happy. He loved life to the fullest,” said Shelia Real, Owens’ mom.

Real remembers the man she raised. Owens died serving his country in Afghanistan at age 21.

“He said that this world was just, had too much to offer just to stay at one job and not go anywhere else,” said Real.

Two years after Owens’ death the state renamed the bridge in his honor. “It’s awesome because we go through here all the time and every time we go through here now we’ll just see his name there,” said Destiny Jones, Owens’ sister.

The family says they requested the bridge because Owens drove over it every time he went to visit his family in Oklahoma. “It’s a blessing. It’s a blessing,” said Real. “Just remember him. Just remember that he was a great kid, a great man, a great soldier,” she said.

Real wants people to remember her son paid the ultimate price.

The family says Owens loved cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

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