McKean County Bridge Named in Honor of Iraq War Airman, Causer Says

November 7, 2018

BRADFORD – A bridge on U.S. Route 219 in Lafayette Township will now carry the name of an Iraq War airman killed in action earlier this year, said Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint), who introduced the initiative in the state House.

Act 161 of 2018 designates the bridge on U.S. Route 219 over the Kinzua Creek, also known as the Tally Ho Bridge, in Lafayette Township as the Staff Sgt. Carl Enis Memorial Bridge. Enis died on March 15, 2018, when his helicopter crashed in western Iraq. He was just 31 years old.

“Staff Sgt. Enis was serving his third tour of duty in Iraq when he made the ultimate sacrifice for us and for our country,” Causer said. “He bravely and honorably served our nation, and it is fitting we make this tribute to him.”

Enis served as a pararescueman, one of the most challenging roles in the Air Force. Members of Air Force Special Operations, pararescue (PJ) specialists rescue and recover downed aircrews from hostile or otherwise unreachable areas. These highly trained experts perform rescues in every type of terrain and partake in every part of the mission, from search and rescue, to combat support to providing emergency medical treatment, in order to ensure that every mission is a successful one.

He was assigned to the Air Force Reserve’s 308th Rescue Squadron at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, where he served for eight years. His awards and decorations include the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster, the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. In the past two years, he received multiple awards, including Airman of the Year for both the 920th Rescue Wing and Air Force Reserve Command.

Although he resided in Florida, Staff Sgt. Enis has generations of connections to the McKean County area and spent a great deal of time locally with family, hunting and fishing in the Kinzua Creek where the bridge named in his honor crosses over.

Enis’ grandparents owned the Enis Hotel in Westline, now known as the Westline Inn. His family also owned a hunting lodge in the area that he frequently visited.

Causer introduced the legislation at the request of local veterans with the support of the Lafayette Township supervisors. The measure was signed into law last month.

Representative Martin T. Causer
67th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Patricia A. Hippler
717.772.9846
phippler@pahousegop.com
RepCauser.com / Facebook.com/RepCauser