A dedication ceremony last week, held by the N.C. Department of Transportation, officially named a bridge at the intersection of U.S. 74 and Alarka Road in Swain County to honor Dock T. “Dockie” Brendle, a Swain County native who earned three Purple Hearts in the Vietnam War. 

He fought in many battles, including the 1968 Tet Offensive, and his last and most severe injury left him blind in his right eye and paralyzed on his left side. Despite his physical limitaions, Brendle has been instrumental in promoting veterans and other humanitarian efforts in his community. He’s a lifetime member of Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter 994 in Franklin and a past commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9281. 

His community felt the bridge should be named after him, but the request was at first denied by the DOT on the grounds that, as a rule, it doesn’t name roads and bridges after Purple Heart winners, on Medal of Valor winners. The people of Swain County had to show the DOT that Brendle was indeed a community figure worthy of the recognition and did so in grand fashion by holding Dockie Brendle Day in April, as well as compiling letters of support and signatures on a petition. 

Derrell Maxwell, the Oct. 29 ceremony’s emcee, formed the original committee to name the bridge after Brendle. Speakers at the ceremony included Transportation Secretary Tony Tata; Richard Norton, president of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 994; Phil Carson, chairman of the Swain County Board of Commissioners; N.C. Senator Jim Davis and Congressman Mark Meadows.