Pols push Brooklyn highway to honor veterans

Support our veterans!

Assemblymember Alec Brook-Krasny and State Senator Martin Golden have banded together in an effort to recognize and commemorate the nation’s veterans, sponsoring legislation that would designate Interstate 278 in Brooklyn the “Brooklyn Veterans Memorial Highway.”

The designation is particularly appropriate they contend, given that one end of the route in Brooklyn houses the Fort Hamilton Army Base, New York City’s last active army post, and the other end is anchored by the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

“The main purpose of this legislation is to encourage members of the general public, as well as officials, to reflect on concerns such as homelessness and the need to extend benefits to our brave men and women,” said Brook-Krasny. “It is not right when anyone who defends the United States of America is homeless, lacks public acknowledgement, or is not given assistance which properly reflects the circumstances of their lives.”

According to Brook-Krasny’s office, New York City does not currently have any designated highways “specifically recognizing veterans or service members.” As stated by the assemblymember, the bill’s purpose is to raise awareness of the over 3,500 homeless veterans living in NYC since 2013, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Community Planning and Development.

Additionally, the Fort Hamilton Army Base and the Brooklyn Navy Yard have significant historical meaning in Brooklyn. Forces around the area currently known as Fort Hamilton defended the U.S. from the British Navy in the American Revolution and the War of 1812.

The Brooklyn Navy Yard served as a launch site for the USS Maine in 1890 and is also known as the location where the USS Missouri was constructed – a ship famous as the site of the Japanese surrender in World War II.

“Brooklyn is an area rich in historical value and strong cultural institutions. Its history is the history of New York and the history of the United States,” said Brook-Krasny. “We must do all we can to develop and promote awareness of who has made us the great and proud nation that we are today. Brooklyn’s military personnel throughout the ages have been at the forefront of the American effort, and continue to move our society forward.”