Putnam Bridge Renamed to Honor Disabled Vets
After being out of the public eye for the past few months, state Senator Greg Ball, along with Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, unveiled the name to a new bridge meant to honor veterans that were scarred, mentally and physically from the toll of war.
The Disabled American Veterans Bridge was officially named Friday morning and celebrated by local and state officials, as well as numerous Lower Hudson Valley residents from the Northern Westchester-Putnam Disabled American Veterans Chapter #137, who was another driving force behind getting a new name for the bridge. The bridge located in Putnam County was previously known as Bryant Pond Road Bridge above the Taconic State Parkway until a bill co-sponsored by Ball and Galef proposed a change.
Ball, a Republican who is leaving office after his current term is up this year, said in an interview after the dedication, the idea originated a couple of years ago and while it may seem like “good, common sense” legislation, it wasn’t a cinch to pass. Once the language in the bill was revised, it finally went forward.
“This is a stark reminder to the less than one percent that are protecting freedom for the rest of us that we are thankful and we do care,” Ball said.
Galef backed up Ball’s assertion that something as simple renaming a bridge for veterans isn’t easy as it may seem. The state assembly doesn’t allow bridges or other landmarks to be named for one specific organization, Galef said, so while it came from the Disabled American Veterans Chapter #137, it is meant to recognize every disabled veteran.
“This is the only bridge in New York State that has been named this way,” Galef said. “We’re very fortunate in Putnam County and as we drive between Westchester and Putnam and Dutchess that we have this bridge named for our disabled veterans.”
Two disabled veterans from Westchester, Peekskill resident George Ondek and Cortlandt Manor resident Charles Jennings, who consider each other brothers because they both fought in the Vietnam War, said the bridge renaming expressed appreciation to a group of Americans that weren’t always applauded for their bravery.
Ondek noted veterans that are considered disabled don’t just suffer through physical injuries and limitations, but also mental anguish like PTSD.
“45 years ago America didn’t honor veterans. They told us to take your uniform off because people might spit at you. There was an anti-war movement going on in America,” Ondek, who was injured during an enemy rocket attack during the Tet Offensive in January 1968, said. “It’s a shame we got our just due after 45 years.”
“We didn’t get a hello, nothing,” Jennings added. “And matter of fact people kind of looked away. It was pretty disturbing but thank God people recognize Vietnam veterans finally and I’m happy about that.”
