Chase Ord, grandson of Dick Ord, is pictured as he unveils the sign naming the former Layne Street Bridge in New Haven as the Ord Brothers Memorial Bridge.
NEW HAVEN, W.Va. — Two New Haven brothers who were held as prisoners of war during World War II were honored posthumously Saturday when a bridge was named in their memory.
The Layne Street Bridge on Old Route 33 in New Haven was renamed the Ord Brothers Memorial Bridge in honor of Charles Richard “Dick” Ord and Milton “Mit” Ord.
The ceremony was attended by Dick Ord’s three children, Dickie Ord, Bonnie Smith and Glenndalyn Fradd, as well as a host of other relatives and friends. Speaking were Delegates Scott Cadle and Jim Butler, who were instrumental in completing the project, and Ray Varian, member of the Stewart-Johnson V.F.W. Post 9926 of Mason and State Assistant P.O.W. Chairman.
Butler told the crowd, “It is important to remember our history.” He read the citation from the West Virginia Legislature that officially renamed the bridge.
Cadle stated they were there because of the service the Ord brothers did for us all.
“They volunteered their service,” Cadle said, speaking of the fact that both men enlisted in the Army as opposed to being drafted. “As prisoners of war, they were served a cup of soup a day.”
Cadle told of talking to Dick Ord about his time as a prisoner.
“Dick said there was a building where he was being held that had a barrel of salt in it,” he said. “Dick said he remembered reading in the Bible about salt losing its savour. Dick said that salt had no flavor but they ate it to have something in their mouths…
