SOMERS, N.Y. - Part of Route 35 in Somers has officially been named a “Purple Heart Highway” in honor of Westchester County’s Purple Heart recipients.
One of those brave souls is Eugene Lang of Somers.
The designation was made possible through a bill sponsored by state Sen. Peter Harckham (D-South Salem) and state Assemblyman Matt Slater (R-Yorktown).
It was signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul last year and amended the state Highway Law to designate a section of Route 35 — beginning at its intersection with Route 22 and extending east to its intersection with Route 100 — as a Purple Heart Highway.
The announcement was made on Thursday, Oct. 8, at the unveiling of the sign.
That particular stretch was chosen for its proximity to Lasdon Public Gardens and Veterans Memorial, home of the Trail of Honor.
That makes it, Harckham and Slater said, 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.
“This is extremely important because the folks who received the Purple Heart are the ones who literally shed blood for our freedom,” 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 nation’s military.”
Harckham thanked Slater for his “partnership in making this tribute possible, as well as the members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 21 in Yorktown Heights for their advocacy for this roadway designation.”
“I hope this designation reminds all who drive this part of the highway that freedom isn't free and we are protected by the bravest men and women willing to sacrifice their lives so we can live under the blanket of freedom,” Slater said, thanking Harckham “for his partnership on this important project that honors our heroes.”
Lang, a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 21 in Yorktown Heights, expressed gratitude for Harckham’s and Slater’s “persistence in getting this legislation signed into law.”
“Members of Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 21 will be honored to see a portion of Route 35 named in recognition of the brave men and women who have received the Purple Heart,” he said.
The strong advocacy from Lang and the members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 21 for the Purple Heart Highway designation was a chief factor in moving the initiative forward, the two state lawmakers agreed.
Joining Harckham and Slater at the unveiling ceremony were County Executive Ken Jenkins, County Legislator Erika L. Pierce, Somers Supervisor Robert Scorrano and local veterans.
“I want to recognize the hard work that was done by Senator Harckham and Assemblymember Slater working together to make sure that the Westchester County Purple Heart Memorial Highway was completed, and certainly to Eugene Lang for his advocacy,” Jenkins said.
“We have to continue to say that ‘freedom is not free’ and this dedication helps provide the proper recognition to the heroes in our community who have shed blood for our country,” he added.
Expressing gratitude to everyone involved in the project, Pierce said: “As we know in our communities, our veterans are folks who continue to give. The mission doesn’t end, they come back from service and find ways to serve again and again, whether through initiatives like this, or at our firehouses or in any other aspect of our community life.”
Somers was “deeply honored” by the designation, said Scorrano, adding: “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.”
“This dedication is a fitting tribute to the brave veterans of Westchester County who have received one of our nation’s highest military honors. I thank Senator Harckham and Assemblyman Slater for their leadership and efforts to make this special dedication honoring our Purple Heart veterans a reality,” said Joshua Gaccione, the county’s director of veteran services.
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