Hochul signs legislative package for veteran highways

ALBANY | Gov. Kathy Hochul has 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," Gov. Hochul said after signing the measure Nov. 11. "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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Afterward, 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. 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.

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Hochul signs legislative package for veteran highways

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