State Representative Joe D’Orsie (R-Manchester) will host a ceremony to dedicate a bridge in Hellam Township, York County, in honor of Marine Private First Class Roger Lee Fraker, a local Vietnam War veteran who was killed in action. The bridge, which carries state Route 462 over a tributary of Kreutz Creek, will be officially named the Roger Lee Fraker Memorial Bridge.
The dedication event is scheduled for Saturday, October 25, at 10 a.m. at 5657 Lincoln Highway East in York. The ceremony will pay tribute to Fraker, who served in the Weapons Platoon of K Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Division during the Vietnam War. Fraker, a Hellam native and 1967 graduate of Eastern High School, died in combat on August 27, 1968, at the age of 19.
“We are dedicating this bridge as a permanent tribute to the courage and sacrifice of Marine PFC Roger Lee Fraker, who served with honor in the Vietnam War,” said D’Orsie. “His service represents a generation that answered the call in a time of great uncertainty, often without recognition, but never without valor.
“He fought not for personal glory, nor solely for America’s freedom, but in the hope of securing freedom for others. May every person who crosses this bridge remember his sacrifice, and may his legacy inspire us to live with courage and a lasting commitment to the ideals of liberty and service beyond ourselves.”
The ceremony is open to the public and will include Fraker’s family members, military personnel, and local leaders. Scheduled speakers include State Rep. Joe D’Orsie, State Rep. Wendy Fink (R-Red Lion), Col. Robert S. Noren from the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Julie Wheeler from the York County Commissioner’s Office, Kevin Smyers from York County Veterans Affairs, Dave Thompson from PennDOT, Commandant Matthew Corwin of the USMC League First Capitol Detachment #521, Beverly Vaughn (Fraker’s sister), Pastor Keith J. Berkheiser II of Stonybrook Bible Church, and the VFW Susquehanna Post 2493 Color Guard.
Fraker’s military honors include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Military Merit, Good Conduct Medal, and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross.
The official designation of the bridge as the Roger Lee Fraker Memorial Bridge was made on June 30, 2025.
