Framingham Bridge To Be Dedicated To Late Air Force Veteran & Ashland High Graduate Richards

FRAMINGHAM – The Framingham bridge over the MBTA tracks neat the intersection of Waverley & Winter streets in Framingham will be dedicated to the late Airforce Veteran Deanna Richards on Saturday, September 18 at 1 p.m.

Senior Airman Richards died unexpectedly on January 20, 2017, while training with the 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, New Mexico. She was 26.

“Senior Airman Deanna Richards will always be remembered for her loving and loveable personality and her ability to bring a smile to everyone’s face through her contagious sense of humor,” said Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis, who spearheaded the bridge re-naming.

“The dedication of the Winter Street Bridge in honor of her will serve as a lasting sign of gratitude to all who have served our country.  May her memory inspire other young people to follow her example of service,” said Rep. Lewis.

Born in Framingham, Deanna lived with her family in Ashland. A graduate of Ashland  High School, she graduating from Suffolk University in 2012.

She soon joined the US Air Force.  After completing basic training, she was stationed at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, New Mexico until serving overseas in Kuwait. 

Upon returning to Cannon Air Force Base, Deanna served as the operations management journeyman in the Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron. 

She enjoyed jogging around Cushing Park, and worked at Brookdale Cushing Park Senior Living, according to a press release.

The public is invited to attend the ceremony on Saturday at 1 p.m. Meet at the Keefe Technical High School, parking lot at Southwest Corner.

Speakers for Saturday’s Ceremony will include:

Mayor Yvonne Spicer

Ashland Town Manager Michael Herbert

Senator President Karen Spilka of Ashland 

Rep.Jack Patrick Lewis 

Office of Congresswoman Katherine Clark 

Cheryl Lussier Poppe, Secretary for the Department of Veterans’ Services 

Major General Gary W. Keefe, Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard 

Lieutenant Colonel Brian Ellis, Deputy Chief Installation, Support Panel, HQ USAF, Pentagon 

Rob Mador, Founder of Bridges for the Fallen 

Sister Brigid, Sister at St. Patrick’s Manor 

Ann Eagan, Activity Director at St. Patrick’s Manor (retired) 

Andrew Murphy, Chaplain, Capt. USAF, Hanscom AFB 

Shanna Jackman, Public Safety Dispatcher, Singer/Songwriter