The Road Goes On Forever: Senator Murphy, Buchwald Host Ceremony Dedicating Marine Corporal James J. Jackowski Memorial Highway

Lewisboro, NY - It was thirty years in the making, but as John Jackowski, father of the late James Jackowski noted, it was well worth the wait. On November 20, a stretch of busy highway not far from where Marine Corporal James J. Jackowski once lived was dedicated in his honor.
 
Senator Terrence Murphy and Assemblyman David Buchwald made sure Corporal Jackowski would never be forgotten. In a bi-partisan effort, the state leaders sponsored a bill (S6472/A9029) designating a portion of a highway in Lewisboro as the Marine Corporal James J. Jackowski Highway.

"Every time someone drives by this section of road they will see Corporal Jackowski's name and they will think about who he was and what he stood for," said Senator Murphy. "Dedicating this road in his honor ensures Corporal Jackowski's sacrifice will be honored for all time. This is a proud moment for the Jackowski family, the Marines, and the 40th Senate District."

New York State Assemblyman David Buchwald said, "I was pleased to see so many members of the community, the John Jay High School Veterans Club and veterans from the region gathered as we dedicated the James J. Jackowski Memorial Highway, to honor his sacrifice in the defense of freedom."
 
James J. Jackowski had a passion for cooking from an early age. He furthered his interest while attending John Jay High School in Katonah.  Jackowski enlisted in the Marines during his senior year, intent on enhancing his cooking skills. His culinary talents, dedication to his duties, and his fun-loving and thoughtful personality made everyone who came in contact with Corporal Jackowski love and respect him. He genuinely cared for others, displaying his compassionate nature on a daily basis.
 
Tragically, Corporal Jackowski lost his life on October 23, 1983 in Beirut, Lebanon along with 238 other Marines when his barracks was bombed. He was just 20-years-old. The October 23 bombing was the deadliest single-day death toll for the Marines since the Battle of Iwo Jima.
 
Many local elected officials and friends of the family were on hand to see the sign bearing Corporal Jackowski's name unveiled, including NYSDOT Regional Director Todd Westhuis, Westchester County Legislator Francis Corcoran, Thomas McIntyre, Assistant Commissioner for the Department of Transportation, Lewisboro Town Supervisor Peter Parsons, Lewisboro Town Councilman Peter DeLucia, Lewisboro Town Board Member Elect Jane Crimmins and Vista Fire Department Adam Ochs, who was thanked by the Jackowski family for his perseverance in seeing the road was dedicated in the memory of their beloved hero.
 
The section of highway designated in Corporal Jankowski's honor begins in Lewisboro at the intersection of Route 35 and state route 124 in Lewisboro, terminating at the intersection of Route 35 and Ridgefield Avenue. Route 35 runs directly past Corporal Jackowski's high school home.