United States Army Cpl. Richard C. Brule.

PROVIDENCE — One of the important steps needed to be completed to have a local Vietnam War veteran killed in action forever memorialized was completed late last week.

The Rhode Island Senate passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Walter S. Felag (D-Dist. 10, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton) that would rename the currently-under construction new East Bay Bike Path Bridge located in Warren as the Cpl. Richard C. Brule Bridge.

The bill now heads to the Rhode Island House of Representatives for consideration, where Rep. Jason Knight (D-Dist. 67, Barrington, Warren) has introduced the corresponding legislation (2025-H 6323).

At a special session held Tuesday, May 29, the Warren Town Council, at the urging of the local Assembly members, approved a resolution in support of the state legislation to honor Brule.

Brule was killed in action in Vietnam in 1970. He was 20 years old at the time and came from the North End of Warren. He was a member of the 198th Light Infantry Brigade, 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry, D Company and he is buried in the Saint John the Baptist Cemetery in Warren.

“Cpl. Brule gave his young life to defending freedom and democracy, and his memory and legacy continues to flourish in his hometown of Warren. This is a fitting tribute to a true Rhode Island hero and it’s an honor to recognize Cpl. Brule in a place that he loved to frequent during his upbringing in Warren,” said Felag, chairman of the Senate Special Legislation and Veterans’ Affairs Committee from where the bill emanated.

Brule was one of four members of the Warren community who lost their lives in the Vietnam War. Felag introduced (2025-S 1062) the bill at the behest of Warren resident Ernest Rabideau, who grew up with Brule.