New York State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblyman Matt Slater announced today that their legislation designating a portion of State Route 35 in Westchester County as the “Purple Heart Trail” in honor of the county’s Purple Heart recipients has been signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul.
The bill (S.6930B / A.8237) introduced by Slater and Harckham, now enacted, amends the state’s Highway Law, in relation to dedicating a part of Route 35 in the Town of Somers beginning at its intersection to State Route 202 and then eastward to its intersection with State Route 100. This stretch of the Route 35 roadway was chosen for its proximity to Lasdon Public Gardens (LPG) and Veterans Memorial, home of the Trail of Honor, making it a fitting location to pay tribute to the brave service members who were wounded or killed in combat while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
“It is both proper and essential that we honor our Purple Heart veterans who have bravely defended our nation and sacrificed so much,” said Harckham. “Dedicating this section of Route 35 to Westchester’s Purple Heart recipients is a meaningful way to recognize these service members who have been awarded one of the highest honors in our country’s military. I thank Governor Hochul for signing this legislation and Assemblyman Matt Slater for his partnership in making this tribute possible.”
Harckham added thanks to the members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 21 in Yorktown Heights for their advocacy of the roadway designation.
“There are few honors more sacred than the Purple Heart, a symbol of the immense sacrifice made by our nation’s heroes,” said Slater. “This dedication assures that Westchester’s Purple Heart recipients are forever remembered. I’m proud to have sponsored this legislation in the Assembly and thank Sen. Harckham for championing it in the Senate.”
Chief amongst the several symbolic cornerstones of our American identity are our veterans and highways. Millions of New Yorkers everyday commute and travel on an intricate system of highways that were largely constructed as part of the New Deal during the Great Depression. While the labor and engineering to establish our everyday transportation network are owed to the Greatest Generation of Americans, it would all be for naught without the veterans who fought for this nation’s enduring freedoms. This legislation showcases the heroic sacrifices of our Purple Heart veterans in a place and manner that millions will engage with and appreciate.
Somers Town Supervisor Robert G. Scorrano said, “Somers is deeply honored to have a portion of Route 35 designated as the New York State Purple Heart Trail in recognition of Westchester County’s Purple Heart veterans. Thanks to the leadership of Senator Harckham and Assemblyman Slater, this tribute ensures that the courage and sacrifice of these heroes will always be remembered here in our community.”
Eugene Lang, a Purple Heart recipient and Somers resident who is also a member of the Military order of the Purple Heart Chapter 21 said, “I would like to thank Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblyman Matt Slater for their persistence in bringing this important bill to Governor Hochul’s desk for her signature. Members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 21 will be honored to see a portion of Route 35 named in honor of recipients of this award.”
