Senator Larkin and Assemblywoman Galef Pass Legislation Commemorating The Bear Mountain Bridge as The Purple Heart Veterans Memorial Bridge

Senator Bill Larkin (R-C-I, 39^th District) and Assemblywoman Sandy Galef ( 95^th District) announced yesterday that legislation passed both of their respective chambers designating “The Bear Mountain Bridge” as “The Purple Heart Veterans Memorial Bridge”.

“Senator Larkin and Assemblywoman Galef’s efforts to honor us as Purple Heart recipients are tremendously appreciated,” said William Nazario, New York State Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.  “For years we have been fighting to see this dream become a reality.  With countless vehicles traveling every day over The Purple Heart Veterans Memorial Bridge I believe we will be appropriately honoring our combat-wounded brothers and sisters of purple.”

“There are an estimated 1.8 million Purple Heart recipients across our great nation,” said Senator Bill Larkin.  “It is imperative that we never lose sight of the sacrifice they and their families have made for our state and our country.  The Hudson Valley is rich with military history.  It is the home of West Point, it is the home of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor and now we are one step closer to it being the home of The Purple Heart Veterans Memorial Bridge.”

“Since 2015, Senator Larkin and I have carried similar legislation honoring our Purple Heart Veterans.  We choose the Bear Mountain Bridge because it connected our districts, and is the main route from the east and west where important landmarks associated with our military are located such as Camp Smith, West Point and the National Purple Heart Hall of Honors,” said Galef.  “As motorists and pedestrians cross the Hudson River over this bridge, they will be reminded of the sacrifices that have been made by our military.  Security and freedom are enjoyed by all, and paying tribute to our Purple Heart Veterans was our goal.  I am thrilled that the Senator and I were able to make this happen.”

The Bear Mountain Bridge is a toll suspension bridge in New York State, carrying US 6/US 202 across the Hudson River between Rockland/Orange Counties and Westchester/Putnam Counties.  This span enables connections to the Palisades Interstate Parkway and US 9W on the west bank near Bear Mountain Inn to NY 9D on the east. It also carries the Appalachian Trail and New York State Bicycle Route 9 across the Hudson drawing countless visitors and commuters daily.

This bill will be sent to the Governor for his signature.

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