Details Emerge After Surprise Bear Mountain Bridge Name Change
Officials from the Hudson Valley are stating why the Bear Mountain Bridge is getting a new name.
On Tuesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation designating “The Bear Mountain Bridge” as “The Purple Heart Veterans Memorial Bridge."
The name change for the bridge that connects Putnam and Westchester to Orange and Rockland counties was spearheaded by Senator Bill Larkin (R-C-I, 39th District) and then passed by the state Senate.
“I thank Governor Cuomo for signing this legislation and for allowing us to honor the nearly 2 million Purple Heart recipients across our great nation,” Larkin said in a press release. “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, with the signing of this legislation, we can call it home to The Purple Heart Veterans Memorial Bridge.”
The span enables connections to the Palisades Interstate Parkway and 9W. The bridge draws countless commuters each day.
“Senator Larkin and Assemblywoman Galef’s efforts to honor us as Purple Heart recipients is tremendously appreciated,” New York State Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart said William Nazario said. "This team effort has now been cemented with Governor Cuomo's signature and we appreciate his commitment to our veterans. 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.”
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