Politics & Government

Cuomo Signs Renaming of Purchase Road After Slain Soldier

The legislation designates a stretch of Route 120 in Harrison's Purchase hamlet as the Specialist Anthony N. Kalladeen Memorial Highway.

A stretch of Route 120 in Purchase is now a symbol of remembrance.

On Tuesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that he signed into law legislation that renames a stretch of the road near the SUNY Purchase campus Specialist Anthony N. Kalladeen Memorial Highway. Kalladeen was kileld in Iraq in 2005 when his vehicle was ambushed, according to Cuomo's office.

The law also renames the Route 120 bridge in Chappaqua the Staff SergeantKyu Hyuk Chay Memorial Bridge. Chay, who served in the army, was killed in action in 2006 while in Afghanistan.

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"As New Yorkers come together to celebrate our country's birthday, we must pause to honor the countless American heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice so we could live free today," Cuomo, a New Castle resident, said in a press release from his office. "Both Specialist Kalladeen and Staff Sergeant Chay will have the lasting memorials they deserve in Westchester County with this renamed highway and bridge. I thank the bill sponsors for their efforts to pay tribute to the sacrifice these courageous men made for the people of our state and nation."

Kalladeen took classes at SUNY Purchase, and was connected to the area where a stretch of road will bear his name.

Find out what's happening in Harrisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The span named after Chay goes through the heart of Chappaqua's downtown is close to two landmarks of importance for Chay: A war memorial by the Chappaqua train station with his name inscribed along with others who were connected to the area, and , which is his family's business. The storefront is located on lower King Street.

Lawmakers who represent New Castle and Harrison, Assemblyman Robert Castelli and state Senator Suzi Oppenheimer, were quoting in the governor's announcement as praising the move.

"When our young servicemen and women make the supreme sacrifice on behalf of our nation, their actions should be remembered and honored forever," said Castelli in the release. "While nothing can replace this terrible loss, it is a small tribute but fitting tribute on behalf of a grateful community, and state, to permanently honor them in this way. I thank the Governor for his timely recognition of the sacrifice of these fine young servicemen, on the eve of our nation’s birthday."

"There is no way to adequately thank and honor Specialist Anthony N. Kalladeen and Staff Sergeant Kyu Hyuk Chay for their tremendous courage and sacrifice protecting our nation," Opppenheimer said in the release. "What we can do is offer this tribute for their service to our country and ensure that their memory is kept alive for generations."


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