(TRENTON) – Assemblywoman Marlene Caride (D-Bergen/Passaic) will join the family of fallen United States Marine Lance Corporal Osbrany Montes De Oca, state and local officials and local veteran groups on Thursday for a dedication ceremony at the Route 7 Bridge to commemorate the renaming of the bridge after the North Arlington native who died while serving in Afghanistan.
De Oca grew up in North Arlington and attended North Arlington High School. He tragically lost his life on Feb. 10, 2012 while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
“Marine Lance Corporal Osbrany Montes De Oca served his country and paid the ultimate price. He was only 20 years old. Renaming this bridge in his memory is a small gesture in comparison to the sacrifice he made,” said Caride. “We are indebted to him and all the other men and women who choose to don the uniform and put their lives at risk so we can enjoy the freedoms that are so costly in so many other countries. This bridge will now stand in honor of his memory and his contribution.”
Caride, who sponsored the law (A-2676) which allowed for the bridge to be renamed in honor of De Oca, will present the plaque bearing the bridge’s new name during the dedication. The law was signed in September and designates the State Highway Route 7 Bridge between Belleville Township and the Borough of North Arlington the “Lance Corporal Osbrany Montes De Oca Memorial Bridge.”
The presentation of the plaque will take place at 12 p.m. noon on Thursday, July 4, 2013 at the intersection of River Road and Belleville Turnpike on the north side of the bridge.
For more information, please contact Yanyll Rodriguez at (201) 943-0615.