In 1951, state officials decided to dedicate the bridge carrying traffic on Route 35 between Point Pleasant Beach and Brielle to all of our nation’s veterans. The name lived on for decades until, eventually, someone noticed that the 1951 designation expired after one year.
A small controversy erupted in 2012 when the bridge was briefly slated to be named for an influential member of the state’s transportation industry, but ultimately, the veterans’ dedication was preserved.
This week, officials announced that both the state Senate and General Assembly had passed legislation formally naming the span the “Veterans of All Wars Memorial Bridge.” The bill was sponsored by 10th district legislators Sen. Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin (all R-Ocean) to honor the men and women who have served in our country’s armed forces.
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“The brave men and women who fought for our freedom should be remembered for their heroism and sacrifices they endured for our country. Just as this bridge has weathered storms and served the Jersey Shore community so have our American soldiers who braved hardships and served the nation. This bridge now stands as a testament to their courage and resilience,” the legislative team said in a joint statement.
The legislation will utilize no state funds for signage to be erected at the bridge site; it calls for private organizations to provide the signs.