(BLACKWOOD) – Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Gilbert “Whip” Wilson, Gabriela Mosquera, Tom Giblin and Paul Moriarty to honor the men and women who have received the Purple Heart by designating Route 42 as the “Route 42 Purple Heart Memorial Highway” was signed into law on Wednesday.
“The Purple Heart is America’s oldest military decoration, established by Gen. George Washington in 1782 to recognize outstanding examples of bravery and sacrifice by the common soldier,” said Wilson (D-Camden/Gloucester). “The Purple Heart continues to be awarded to extraordinarily brave men and women wounded in military service or given posthumously to the next of kin of those killed in action, and it’s fitting for the Legislature to honor all recipients of the Purple Heart – past, present, and future – for their bravery, heroic service and sacrifice to the United States and to the state of New Jersey.”
Route 42 runs through portions of Camden and Gloucester Counties, and the sponsors noted that during the Revolutionary War, the Battle of Gloucester in Camden County and the Battle of Red Bank in Gloucester County were pivotal to ensuring the freedom of a new nation and the generations of its citizens to come.
“Both battles were fought by common American troops who, despite being outnumbered, outgunned and inexperienced as compared to their counterparts, fought with the courage and sacrifice we continue to see to this day from brave Americans protecting our freedom” said Mosquera (D-Gloucester/Camden). “Let’s never forget that sacrifice and let’s honor their memories and heroism.”
“This is a simple step to honor the courageous Americans who have given their all to protect our liberty, and it’s the right thing to do,” said Giblin (D-Essex/Passaic). “We must be thankful for the sacrifices that have been made and the sacrifices to come from our brave soldiers, and honoring their memory like this is appropriate.”
“Honoring our heroic Purple Heart recipients is proper and fitting considering the great sacrifice they’ve given to protect our freedoms,” said Moriarty (D-Gloucester/Camden). “We can never forget their courage and bravery, and with this designation, we will ensure their sacrifice will be forever noted here in Camden and Gloucester counties.”
Under the law, no state or other public money can be used in producing, purchasing, or erecting the signs. Instead, the law authorizes the Commissioner of Transportation to receive funds from private Dests to cover these costs.
The law (A-2255) was signed Wednesday by Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno.
