The St. Clair County Board is expected to go on record Monday as saying it wants the new Mississippi River bridge named the Veterans Bridge. And really, that makes so much more sense than naming it after a baseball player or a politician.

Missouri lawmakers want the bridge named for Cardinal great Stan Musial. No disrespect to Musial, but his name mainly is under consideration because of his recent death.

Illinois lawmakers have suggested naming it for former U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, of Belleville, who secured the funding to get the bridge built, and former Rep. Bill Clay Sr. from Missouri. But even Costello's state lawmaker son has said the bridge shouldn't be named for individuals. Plus, the politicians were just doing their jobs.

Veterans, and Musial is one, are widely respected for their selflessness and sacrifice. They risked and in some cases gave their lives for our nation's freedom. Their families endured uncertainty and hardship so the rest of us could sleep well at night.

Veterans used to have a bridge named for them in St. Louis. This is the perfect opportunity to honor veterans once again.