Since there are so many that feel the other tragedies on this bridge should also be remembered, why not name it Angel Bridge. That way it will honor the memory of anyone whose life was lost as well as these children.

I do not think the Dauphin Island Bridge should be renamed. Are we going to re-name it when another murderer - looking for attention - does this again? This would only cause bad memories for a lot of people. Why should we give this murderous father the fame that he wanted when he took these childrens' lives? They were children so why not have a park 'for children' in their honor? Somewhere that could bring joy instead of grief.

momoftwo - 16 January 2008 07:15 PM

Since there are so many that feel the other tragedies on this bridge should also be remembered, why not name it Angel Bridge. That way it will honor the memory of anyone whose life was lost as well as these children.

As the original author of this thread and the one who started the petition, I would like to thank everyone for their comments and insight. I did this because I saw how many people were affected by this tragedy and wanted the children to be honored in some way. Several had already proposed the name Four Angels Bridge, and I began to make the contacts to see if this could be done. Because the bridge is owned by the state of Alabama, not Dauphin Island as some would like to believe, this will be a long drawn out process that will probably have to be voted on during an election, by all of MOBILE COUNTY citizens.

My first and foremost concern is for the mother's wishes. But I see no problem with gathering information and getting input at this point. Like I said, this will be a long process,not something that will happen overnight or even within a few months. If the mother did not want this to happen, then everything could be withdrawn-end of story. But if she did want this memorial to her children, then we would be that many steps closer to making it a reality.

I am in no way down-playing any other tragedies that have happened on the bridge, but I honestly can't remember any that have affected an entire community as much as this has. This has affected people from Florida to Mississippi. This is not just a Dauphin Island or Bayou La Batre or even a South Mobile County tragedy-it is a Gulf Coast tragedy.

Would it be honoring their father? I don't think so. No one has said let's make a Lam Loung memorial. This is for the children, for their mother and for everyone who cares. It is a way to memorialize their final resting place. There are crosses all over town where people have been killed in automobile wrecks, some with personal items hanging on them such as favorite shirts, pictures, etc. Everyone has their own ideas as to what an appropriate memorial should be, or whether there should be a memorial. This is just one idea. Regardless of whether this ever gets any farther than just "talking" about on a message board-those children need to be remembered. And if Mr. Loung gets satisfaction out of his children being remembered, that his problem,not mine-because I am definitely NOT doing this to remember him. Only the kids, only those beautiful babies.

PREVENTION IS THE ANSWER.........Most cities have bridges bordered with chainlink barriers to prevent things from being thrown over especially where boat traffic crosses beneath. Why not in Alabama?

Granted, in consideration of renaming the Dauphin Island's bridge is a rather beautiful and most thoughtful gesture. However, in being most realistic we as citizens of Mobile must consider on the other hand that there will be other unfortunate events in the future (not limited to bridges only).

We, as Mobilian must ask ourselves...are we prepared to rename other venues as such? It will only be fair to all. We must consider that each and every unfortunate occurrence is a major loss for any surviving family(ies) and friends alike. Mobilian what is considered proper for one family should be considered proper for all citizens (families) of Mobile. Do we start picking and choosing now who is worthy or not of such notoriety?

Another point we must consider...would such a gesture be cost-effective for Mobile? And that is including all unfortunate events of the same magnitudes or similar... not just a select few? Mobilian can we afford to open such a "can of worms?"


This is not to down-play the demise of the four little Angels. It just that all citizens should be included in this most thoughtful and beautiful gesture... not a select few. And what about those of the past? Can we financially afford such?

dixie - 16 January 2008 12:48 PM

To all of you out there don't you think that instead of renaming the bridge, we need to focus on maybe trying to get a fence put up so that we can avoid this tragedy again. Renaming the bridge will not bring back those 4 little children but a fence would prevent this from ever happening again... Maybe this is where we need to direct our focus to..

I agree. Likewise, I have witnessed such commercial-grade fences over streets, highways in inner-cities, as well as interstates, and bodies of water. To my knowledge, there were never any casualities subsequent to the erections of such. A thoughtful and beautiful gesture to offer such a suggestion dixie. And this would be more benificial and cost-effective as a mean to circumvent such reoccurrence or similiar one.

dspeedster - 17 January 2008 01:14 PM

Granted, in consideration of renaming the Dauphin Island's bridge is a rather beautiful and most thoughtful gesture. However, in being most realistic we as citizens of Mobile must consider on the other hand that there will be other unfortunate events in the future (not limited to bridges only).

We, as Mobilian must ask ourselves...are we prepared to rename other venues as such? It will only be fair to all. We must consider that each and every unfortunate occurrence is a major loss for any surviving family(ies) and friends alike. Mobilian what is considered proper for one family should be considered proper for all citizens (families) of Mobile. Do we start picking and choosing now who is worthy or not of such notoriety?

Another point we must consider...would such a gesture be cost-effective for Mobile? And that is including all unfortunate events of the same magnitudes or similar... not just a select few? Mobilian can we afford to open such a "can of worms?"


This is not to down-play the demise of the four little Angels. It just that all citizens should be included in this most thoughtful and beautiful gesture... not a select few. And what about those of the past? Can we financially afford such?

I TOTALLY with this.

THE CHILDREN WILL BE DEARLEY MISSED THE PITTER PATTER OF THEIR LITTLE FEET THEIR BEUITFUL VOICESES AND CANT FORGET AS LONG AS WE LIVE SMILE.


JAMES

NOW IS THE TIME MOMMY TO HEAL.

WE KMOW YOU CAN BECAUSE YOU ARE BETTER THEN ANY BASEBALL FAN

WE ARE HAPPY AND SO ARE YOU.

PLEASE BE HAPPY AND JUST LOOK TOWRAD THE SKY.

EVERY TIME THE WIND BLOWS WE WILL BE THERE TALKING TO YOU.

WHEN THE FLOWERS BLOOM.

THERE WE WILL BE AS IF WE ARE IN THE ROOM.

WE WILL ASK GOD TO FORGIVE DAD.

SO DON'T GET MAD.

ARE LOVE WILL NEVER FADE.

EVEN WHEN YOU STAND IN THE SHADE.

HUGS AND KISSES FOREEVER MORE.

XO. XO. XO. XO. XO. XO.

PLEASE REMBER MOMMY.

WHEN YOU SEE OR PICTURES.

JUST TALK TO US AND WE WILL HEAR.

AND HOLD YOU DEAR.

LOVE FORVER.

RYAN HANNA LIDNSEY DANNY
Posted by SUNNY88


JAMES

I am not opposed to putting up a fence. The idea of renaming the bridge Four Angels Bridge is just one thought of honoring them and remembering. It would involve a simple sign, not major construction. Most people probably don't realize how many roads and bridges actually have other names than what they are "commonly" called. For instance, those arguing against renaming the DI bridge, do you realize that the section of highway leading up to the bridge is actually Robert Cunningham Parkway, and Dauphin Island Parkway? I would just like to see some symbol to remember these babies. All this of course pending the mother's approval. Her wishes must remain first.

Would those that oppose the renaming, oppose a fence, lest it block their view? Would it really prevent another tragedy, or would someone just climb the fence? What about when the saltwater corrodes the fence in about 6months to a year and has to be replaced? These are just thoughts for consideration.