PORTION OF GUILDERLAND HIGHWAY TO BE NAMED AFTER MAJOR GENERAL HAROLD J. GREENE
June 30, 2017
Senator George Amedore and Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy today announced that Governor Cuomo has signed their legislation (S.894A/A.2031A) to designate a portion of State Route 20 in the Town of Guilderland as the “Major General Harold J. Greene Memorial Highway.”
"Major General Harold J. Greene dedicated his life and career in service to our nation,” said Senator Amedore. “Naming this highway in his honor is one small way to thank him for his service, his sacrifice, and show the appreciation and gratitude of the community that he called home."
“Major General Harold Greene grew up in Guilderland, and spent at 34 year career serving in the US military. He joined the ROTC while studying at RPI to fulfill a physical education requirement, but quickly took to military life, eventually achieving the rank of Major General. Maj. Gen. Greene made the ultimate sacrifice in 2014. He was the first American General to be killed by combat fire since the September 11th attacks. This was a tragic loss for the community, and I am humbled to sponsor the bill to name the Major General Harold J. Greene Memorial Highway," said Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy.
The portion of highway to be designated begins at the intersection of State Route 20and State Route 146 South in the Town of Guilderland and runs south to the intersection of Route 146 and Ostrander Road.
Major General Harold J. Greene was killed in Afghanistan on August 4, 2014 when a gunman believed to be an Afghan soldier opened fire during a meeting of senior military officials at a military academy near Kabul. He is the highest ranking American officer to be killed in a combat war zone since the Vietnam War.
Major General Greene was a Guilderland native and a graduate of Renssealaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy. During his Army career, he was awarded numerous commendations including the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, a Meritorious Service Award, and an Army Commendation Medal.
“Major General Harold J. Greene’s legacy is one of duty, honor and love of country, and every American owes him a debt of gratitude for the outstanding manner in which he served our nation. I want to thank Assemblywoman Fahy for her partnership. Now that this legislation has been signed into law, residents and visitors alike will have the opportunity to reflect on the memory of a true American hero as they travel this road,” said Senator Amedore.
A dedication ceremony will be planned in the coming weeks.
