Bridge Dedication Honors Marine

A fallen Marine who walked 400 miles to re-enlist in the Vietnam War has had a bridge named after him. The dedication ceremony was held in Welch for the Lance Cpl. Julius C. “Corky” Foster Memorial Bridge over the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River. Foster served six years in the Marines starting in 1961. After graduating from West Virginia University in 1967, Foster walked from Welch to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, in 31 days to re-enlist. His walk was a show of support for the war effort. Foster was killed by enemy mortar fire a year later at age 29.