Governor Dayton Orders I-35W Bridge to Glow Blue for Jacob Wetterling

To honor the life of Jacob Wetterling, Governor Mark Dayton has directed the Minnesota Department of Transportation to have the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis glow blue for 11 nights, beginning the evening of Thursday, Sept. 15 and ending with the night of the memorial service for Jacob, on Sunday, Sept 25, 2016.

The bridge will be lit blue, representing child abuse prevention, according to a news release.

The Wetterling family and the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center have asked that Minnesotans honor Jacob’s memory through the number 11, which was his jersey number in sports.

They are encouraging people to live by the “#11forJacob,” which represent traits and values to honor Jacob.

The I-35W bridge is equipped with a computerized lighting system that allows MnDOT to color the bridge with light in almost any color. It is often lit in various colors for significant regional and national events.

Why 11?

Earlier this month, Patty Wetterling and the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center (JWRC) began asking people to place number 11, the number Jacob Wetterling wore on the soccer field, somewhere on their person at their next game, concert, or big event if they are committed to making the world a better place for kids.

The JWRC was recently approached by a children’s soccer team who wanted to wear Jacob’s jersey number in their next soccer game.

"Our hearts were touched by a request from children to honor Jacob in this way," the JWRC said in a statement.

Jacob loved sports. His father coached his soccer team, he wanted to be a football player, and he was a skilled hockey goalie.

"It’s one of the many ways to honor Jacob’s spirit and his sense of fairness. 11 for Jacob – 11 things that people of all ages can do so that we nurture a culture of kindness and compassion. If you put on Jacob’s jersey number, make a commitment to living with these 11 traits."

The remains of Jacob, who disappeared 27 years ago in St. Joseph, were found last week in Paynesville.

Daniel Heinrich confessed in U.S. District Court Tuesday that he abducted and murdered Jacob on Oct. 22, 1989.

Image: Steve via Flickr /Creative Commons