The Mandan City Commission approved the name Richard M. Longfellow Veterans Park for the Mandan side of the Liberty Memorial Bridge park and plaza.

Longfellow helped American forces retake a bridge during the Phillipine Insurrection of 1899 and was awarded the medal of honor.

In his enlistment papers, he listed Mandan as his home, despite being born in Illinois and being buried in Idaho. Three of his children were born in Mandan.

Ronald D. Otto. Veteran Service officer for Morton and Oliver Counties spoke before the commission as a proponent for naming the bridge after Master Sgt. Woodrow W. Keeble.

Keeble was awarded the medal in March, 26 years after his death. He was a Korean War hero and the first full-blooded Sioux Indian to receive the Medal of Honor.

"Mr. Longfellow is certainly worthy of honoring, but for the park on our side, I think it's an honor coming from Mandan to Mr. Keeble that is way long overdue - its an opportunity that comes around once and then its going to be gone," Otto said. "Lets do it right."

Commissioners Sandra Tibke and Thomas Jackson both said that based on the overwhelming majority of phone calls they received in favor of naming the park after Longfellow, the would vote in favor of it.

The decision to name the part was held over from a previous meeting.

"One of the reasons for delaying was this was it is a once and lifetime opportunity to name this park,"said Tim Helbling, Mandan major and president of the city commission.

n The commission also approved a request from the MPO and the Mandan Stockcar Association to close off six blocks of Main Street Mandan for the World of Outlaws Event.

The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Races are coming to Dacotah Speedway on August 16th.

The Mandan Progress Organization will host a meet and greet of the drivers of the on Aug. 15 from 5 to 10 p.m.

The six blocks may be requested for trucks and vender booths. The event would still have to work with Mandan Police and Fire Department on meeting regulation for the use of the street.

(Reach reporter Chris Rosacker at 250-8254 or at chris.rosacker@;bismarcktribune.com.)