(Audio) Shore Bridge to be Permanently Named to Honor Veterans

New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno heads to Ocean County next Tuesday January 6, to sign three veteran-friendly bills into law at the American Legion in Brick Township. Key among them, is the naming of a bridge.

The Route 35 Bridge that connects Brielle to Point Pleasant Beach will serve as the back drop as Guadagno signs the measure (S1027/A3758), to permanently name the span "Veterans of All Wars Memorial Bridge".

Terry Fearon, Judge Advocate Officer of Brick VFW, said it's been the bridge's name since 1950 as a result of efforts by World War II Veterans.

"But they didn't name it in perpetuity so it was that reoccurring resolution that got lost in house keeping," said Fearon.

Fearon added that following the bridge's remodeling the old signs were removed and the bridge was about to be renamed after a public official who was a non-veteran. He said the news led them to launch a 9 month lobbying effort that was supported by the state's Gold Star Mothers.

According to reports, an estimated 7,000 active-duty military members call Ocean and Monmouth counties home and there are an estimated 100,000 veterans who live here year round. Fearon also explained that during the summer tourism season that number swells bringing tens of thousands more veterans and their family members to our region and for that reason alone the bridge should be named to honor those who've served in the armed services.

Another bill Guadagno will be signing will designate the second full week of November as "Veterans Education Awareness Week" (SJR41) and a third, requires the issuance of one free copy of a veterans death certificate to authorized person's upon request (A2184).

According to Fearon, In 1870, Captain John Arnold is credited with building a roadway to the ocean, now known as Arnold Avenue. He was also heavily involved in the building of the first bridge in 1875 over the Manasquan River to Brielle.