Splendora Bridge Renamed in Honor of Fallen Marine Lance Cpl. Armando Hernandez
A symbol of service and sacrifice now stretches across I-69 in Montgomery County. In a heartfelt dedication ceremony, the SH 242 bridge in Splendora was officially renamed the Lance Corporal Armando Hernandez Memorial Bridge. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), state leaders, and the Hernandez family came together to honor the fallen U.S. Marine through TxDOT’s Memorial Sign Program.
The Memorial Sign Program was created to provide grieving families a meaningful way to honor loved ones who lost their lives in the line of duty. The program places signs along Texas highways to commemorate fallen soldiers, first responders, and other local heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Lance Cpl. Armando Hernandez died while serving in Okinawa, Japan. His mother, Ana Hernandez, said the bridge dedication holds a deeply personal significance tied to a promise made during his final visit home.
“When we drove Armando to the airport at the end of his leave, his little sister began crying uncontrollably,” Ana recalled. “Armando hugged her tightly and promised she would always see him come home. After we lost him, I knew I had to keep that promise.”
With the help of the U.S. military and community members, the Hernandez family arranged for his body to return home to Splendora. The route of his final journey passed under the very bridge that now bears his name.
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“The last exit before home is this bridge,” Ana said. “When we passed beneath it, people were holding American flags and a sign that read, ‘Welcome Home, Lance Corporal Armando Hernandez.’ I looked up and silently told my son, ‘Your promise was kept.’”
Now, that promise lives on in a permanent way—etched into the landscape of his hometown. The newly installed signage stands as a visible, enduring tribute to a young man whose courage, character, and commitment touched an entire community.
“This bridge is now a permanent reminder that his service mattered, his sacrifice is honored, and that people came together to turn a mother’s wish into reality,” Ana added. “I am truly grateful to everyone who worked alongside us with love and compassion. Armando lived by the quote, ‘If Not Me, Then Who?’—it inspired him to serve, and it was the drive behind this dedication.”
The bridge renaming was made possible through House Bill 2061, authored by State Representative Janis Holt, who praised the effort as a collaboration of compassion and community.
“The naming of the Lance Corporal Armando Hernandez Memorial Bridge is far more than a sign on a highway—it is a permanent reminder of a young Marine who gave his life for our nation and a mother who never stopped fighting to honor him,” Holt said. “This memorial represents the very best of our communities, when families, state leaders, and local partners like TxDOT come together to ensure our heroes are never forgotten.”
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TxDOT’s Montgomery County team played a vital role in making the dedication a reality, from fabrication to strategic placement of the signs.
“The family requested the signs near a specific bridge on FM 242,” explained Lynn Champagne, TxDOT maintenance supervisor. “We scoped the area and identified the safest location with the best visibility while staying within TxDOT policy.”
On the day of the dedication, local residents, law enforcement, veterans, and community partners stood in solemn tribute. Many shared stories, waved flags, and embraced the Hernandez family, offering comfort and unity in the face of loss.
This memorial not only honors the life of Lance Cpl. Armando Hernandez, but also serves as a powerful message of remembrance, love, and the enduring spirit of service that defines the Splendora community.
To learn more about the TxDOT Memorial Sign Program or how to request a memorial sign in your area, visit txdot.gov.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.