From November 11, 2022 post.
Governor Kathy Hochul signed a legislative package dedicating portions of the New York State highway system to veterans.
“We owe a great debt to New York’s veterans who have always answered the call to protect and serve,” Governor Hochul said. “These highway dedications help us recognize and honor the contributions and sacrifices of New York’s heroes and will ensure that their legacies live on for generations.”
Legislation (S.6544C/A.6368-B) designates Route 16 crossing the Cazenovia Creek in the Town of Holland, Erie county, as the "Kalinowski Brothers Memorial Bridge". This will pay tribute to the Kalinowski family, whose five sons served in the armed forces. Private First Class John Kalinowski served in both the US Navy and National Guard, during World War II and the Korean Conflict. PFC Kalinowski was a member of the Military Police and received the WWII Victory Medal and the American Campaign Medal. Private Matthew Kalinowski served in the US Army during WWII. Staff sergeant Chester Kalinowski served in the US Air Force during WWII as a Radar Repairman, earning him the WWII Victory Medal. Sergeant Alfred Kalinowski served in the Marines during the Korean Conflict, earning the Silver Star, Commendation Medal Pendant With Combat "V", Purple Heart Medal with Gold Star in lieu of 2nd Award, Korean Service Medal W/ 3 Stars, United Nations Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. Staff sergeant Leonard Kalinowski served in the US Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He was awarded the Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. This legislation is to pay tribute to the Five Kalinowski Brother's honorable and heroic service.
State Senator Patrick M. Gallivan said, “The Kalinowski brothers exemplify the very best our country has to offer. The five siblings served our nation in WWII and the Korean Conflict, representing virtually every branch of our military. This special designation will help ensure their heroic service is never forgotten.”
Legislation (S.6551D/A.6363) designates state Route 19 in the Town of Pike, county of Wyoming, as “Master Sergeant Thomas P. Madison Memorial Highway.” This will pay tribute to the honorable and heroic service of Sergeant Madison. He was a decorated war hero and veteran of the Vietnam War, and a recipient of the Small Arms Expert Marksman Ribbon, NCO Professional Military Education Ribbon V Device, Humanitarian Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Medal With 4 Devices, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award WI Device, Vietnam Gallantry Cross With Device, Vietnam Campaign Medal.
State Senator Patrick M. Gallivan said, “Sgt. Madison is a highly decorated veteran of the Vietnam War and our community is forever grateful for his service to our nation. Designating this bridge in his honor will stand as a permanent tribute to his dedication and commitment.”
Legislation (S.7416B/A. 8400-B) Designates State Route 394 through the Town of Randolph, Cattaraugus County, as the “Staff Sergeant David Textor Memorial Highway.” Staff Sergeant David Textor served his nation in Iraq assigned to the United States Army's Company A, 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne). Staff Sergeant Textor tragically lost his life in service on July 15, 2018 while he was conducting combat operations in Mosul, Iraq. Staff Sergeant Textor began the Special Forces Qualification Course in May 2005, and he earned the coveted "Green Beret" in November 2006. Staff Sergeant Textor's was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral "2" device, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, and the Special Forces Tab. Staff Sergeant Textor was born in Chautauqua County, where he attended Randolph Central High School, competing in football, wrestling, and track. This bill was requested by the Town of Randolph, decided and by unanimous vote, adopted a formal resolution requesting this legislation.
State Senator George M. Borrello said, “Staff Sgt. Textor was a courageous and highly decorated Green Beret whose life was tragically lost while he was serving our nation in Iraq. Memorializing Route 394 in his name will serve as a tribute to him and a reminder to all who pass that a painful price has been paid to safeguard.”
Legislation (S.8305A/A.9351-A) designates a portion of the State Highway System in the Village of Caledonia, Livingston County, as the “WWII Rapone Brothers Memorial Highway.” This designation will honor the Rapone family and their six family members who served during World War II. Private Patsy A. Rapone was killed in action in 1944, posthumously receiving the Purple Heart. Seaman First Class Rocky A. Rapone was injured in the Pacific theater in 1945. Private George Rapone, Private Peter Rapone, and Seaman Louis Rapone were injured off the coast of Anzio, Italy. Sergeant Joseph Rapone also served.
State Senator Patrick M. Gallivan said, "Our community can never truly repay the Rapone family for the service provided and the sacrifice it has ensured in defense of our country. Dedicating this highway in honor of the Rapone brothers recognizes their commitment to duty as members of the Greatest Generation."
Assemblymember Marjorie Byrnes said, “I am proud to live in Caledonia which is the hometown of the Rapone Brothers. Their patriotism, bravery and service to our country is renowned throughout the community and deserves to be recognized.”
Legislation (S.7903B/A.9068-B) Designates the bridge over the West Branch Delaware River on state Route 206 between Delaware Street and Stockton Avenue in the town of Walton, Delaware County, as “First Lieutenant Stephen H. Doane Memorial Bridge.” This will honor First Lieutenant Stephen H. Doane, who served as platoon leader with Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division in Hau Nghia Province in the Republic of Vietnam. His company engaged in a tactical operation which abruptly contacted an enemy force concealed in protected bunkers and trenches. Some of his leading soldiers were severely wounded or pinned down by enemy crossfire. First Lieutenant Doane acted quickly and decisively, rescuing trapped soldiers in battle. He sacrificed his own life in a last charge, his extraordinary and selfless act enabling his company to rescue the trapped men without further casualties. The display of courage displayed by Lt. Doane were an inspiration to his men and in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army, for which he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the only Medal of Honor recipient from Delaware County.
State Senator Mike Martucci said, “There is no better day to honor an American hero than today and I'm so proud to be a part of making sure 1st Lt. Stepheh H Doane receives the recognition he so richly deserves. I thank Assemblyman Angelino for his partnership on this bill and Governor Hochul for signing it. 1st Lt. Doane exemplified the values of duty, honor and country and now his family and members of the community will have a permanent monument to his courageous service to our nation.”
Assemblymember Joseph Angelino said, “Greater love has no one than this: that someone lay down his life for his friends.’ Lt. Stephen H. Doane exemplified this kind of sacrifice; his heroic acts saved the young men he led during an attack in Vietnam. I hope the naming of this bridge offers some comfort to his remaining family members that Stephen will never be forgotten. I encourage those in Walton, and all who pass over this bridge, to learn about the heroism of Lt. Doane.”
Legislation (S.8085C/A.9046-B) designates a portion of the highway system constituting state Route 21 from its intersection with state route in the city of Canandaigua, Ontario County, as the “Ralph Calabrese Highway.” Ralph Anthony Calabrese served two years during the Korean War, receiving a number of decorations, including the Bronze Star, Korean Service Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge. Corporal Calabrese was deeply committed to the veterans affairs and his community, fighting hard to keep the Canandaigua VA Medical Center open when the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recommended closing it in the 1990s. His effort kept the VA open and to this day it is providing care for his fellow veterans.
State Senator Pamela Helming said, “Mr. Calabrese was an American hero, a fierce advocate for his fellow veterans, and my good friend. Designating ‘Ralph Calabrese Memorial Highway’ is a symbol of our enduring gratitude and respect. I was proud to sponsor this bill and to work with Assemblyman Gallahan to get it signed into law. Thank you to my colleagues in the Legislature and to Governor Hochul for their support.”
Assemblymember Jeff Gallahan said, “Ralph A. Calabrese’s dedicated service to our nation and efforts to support our veterans were truly laudable, and it is because of him the Canandaigua VA Medical Center has been able to continue their important work in support of our service members. I am grateful to see this bill signed into law to memorialize his legacy for future generations.”
Legislation (S.8681A/A.8535-A) designates a portion of the State Highway System Route 259 between Lake Ontario State Parkway in the town of Parma, and Dunbar Road as the “Specialist Jason Hasenauer Memorial Highway.” Private Jason Hasenauer was killed in 2005 after a roadside bomb overturned his vehicle in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was posthumously promoted to Specialist First Class.
State Senator Jeremy A. Cooney said, “Local veterans and heroes, Specialist Jason Hasenauer and Sergeant Gary Beikirch, are being honored and remembered with the signing of this bill. These acts of recognition are meant to acknowledge the bravery each displayed in serving our country. I’m proud to have sponsored these bills and thank Governor Hochul for signing them into law.”
Assemblymember Josh Jensen said, “Gary Beikirch is a true American hero whose valor and bravery in battle earned him the Medal of Honor, yet his service to others continued as he dedicated his life to helping others and memorializing a portion of Latta Road, in the heart of the Town Greece where he called home, is a testament to the impact he made on countless members of our community. Memorializing a portion of North Avenue in honor of Specialist Jason Hasenauer in the Town of Parma is a fitting tribute to a community member who gave his life for his nation. Whether it was his military service as member of the Army, or as a volunteer firefighter with the Hilton Fire Department, he always put service first and with this dedication, his service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Legislation (S.9028/A.10110) designates a portion of the State Highway System, Route 18, in the town of Greece, Monroe County, as the “Sergeant Gary Beikirch Memorial Highway.” Sergeant Gary B. Beikirch. Sergeant Beikirch was a Vietnam veteran, Medal of Honor recipient, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community. Gary was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions performed prior in Vietnam at Camp Buck-Song, where defended his fellow soldiers, Vietnamese comrades and Vietnamese villagers saving lives as he sustained life threatening injuries. Afterwards, he continued to devote his life his community and service of others. For over 30 years, he was a middle school counselor for the Greece School District changing the lives of thousands of the students he worked with daily. Sergeant Beikirch also co-founded the Veterans Outreach Center that has served and continues to serve veterans of Monroe County and across the region with every need they may encounter as they try to reenter society and find some normalcy in their daily lives.
Legislation (S.8688A/A.9653-A) designates a portion of the State Highway System constituting the bridge on Merritts Road between Langdon Road and Northwest Drive, crossing over the Bethpage state park- way in the Town of Oyster Bay, Nassau County, as the “Trooper John J. Lane Memorial Bridge.” Trooper John J. Lane was a United States Army veteran of World War I and had served with the New York State Police for six years. Trooper Lane was honored with Laney the K9 named after him for his dedicated service to the New York State Police. Laney the K9 served in Narcotics Detection and Handler Protection.
State Senator Kevin Thomas said, “I’m proud to honor the life and legacy of Trooper John J. Lane, a fallen World War I veteran and New York State Policeman, by designating a portion of the state highway as ‘Trooper John J. Lane Memorial Bridge’ and am grateful to Governor Hochul for signing my bill and making this possible.”
Assemblymember John Mikulin said, “I am proud to have sponsored this law for the residents of Oyster Bay to memorialize the contribution, life and legacy of Trooper John Lane and in support of all of our hard working and dedicated New York State Police,” said Mikulin. “Our law enforcement officers do so much to protect and serve the community, and as our state’s leading police agency, troopers like Trooper Lane set the bar of excellence extremely high in law enforcement. We are grateful for their service and thank them for helping to make our communities safer.”
Legislation (S.8726A/A.10024-A) designates a portion of the State Highway System, state Route 283, from beginning in the town of Pamelia, county of Jefferson at the Watertown city line, continuing in a generally northeasterly direction and terminating at its intersection with state Route 342 in the town of Le Ray, county of Jefferson as the “Colonel Michael Plummer Memorial Highway." Colonel Michael Plummer was an officer and an integral part of the modern 10th Mountain Division. Colonel Plummer was assigned to Fort Drum in December 1984 as the first Chief of Staff of the new 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) which was reactivated on February 3, 1985. He was instrumental in standing-up and organizing the new Division and setting in motion the construction of over $1 billion in initial infrastructure to support the new unit at Fort Drum. He was responsible for standing-up, training, and moving the new brigade from Georgia to its final home in upstate New York. Colonel Plummer was active across the North Country community, spearheading the "Adopt a 10th Mountain Platoon" program and initiated and conducted a "Soldier 101" program that facilitates local community members spending a day in the field training and learning what it is to be a soldier in the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) on Fort Drum to increase understanding between the local civilian community and their military neighbors. Colonel Plummer spent his career making soldiers' and their families' lives better and he dedicated himself to protecting and enhancing Fort Drum.
State Senator Patty Ritchie said, “Colonel Plummer dedicated his life to bettering his country and his community. One of his biggest priorities was strengthening the connection between Fort Drum and the Watertown community. Naming the roadway connecting these two points in his honor is a fitting tribute and will ensure that the many contributions he made are never forgotten.”
Assemblymember Ken Blankenbush said, “Since the day I met COL. Mike Plummer at Rotary back in the 1980’s he and his family have been steadfast advocates for the 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum. It is an honor to have carried this legislation in the Assembly to rename this portion of Route 283 as a lasting legacy to his dedication.”
Original source can be found here.
