Section 9. Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge.
(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) Although there was no official declaration of war, it is widely accepted that the Vietnam War started on November 1, 1955, and ended on April 30, 1975, lasting 19 years, 180 days.
(2) On August 2, 1964, the North Vietnamese fired on a United States destroyer anchored in the Gulf of Tonkin, leading to Congress passing the Gulf of Tonkin resolution, authorizing a full-scale intervention in the Vietnam War.
(3) On March 8, 1965, the first American combat troops, the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, landed in Da Nang, Vietnam.
(4) The last American ground troops left Vietnam on March 29, 1973, more than two years before the official end of the war when South Vietnam surrendered to North Vietnam.
(5) Two hundred forty men were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War.
(6) In all, approximately 2,700,000 American men and women served in uniform in Vietnam, including more than 300,000 Pennsylvanians.
(7) During the course of the Vietnam War, 58,148 Americans were killed, including more than 3,000 Pennsylvanians.
(8) It is fitting to recognize and honor the men and women who bravely served their country during the Vietnam War.
(b) Designation.--The bridge, identified as Bridge Key 54683, located on State Route 3009 (Kushequa Avenue) in Kushequa, Hamlin Township, McKean County, over the Kinzua Creek is designated the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge.
(c) Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs displaying the name of the bridge to traffic in both directions on the bridge.