Effort to rename bridge advances

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — A bridge in Freehold Township would be named the Cpl. Philip A. Reynolds Memorial Bridge under legislation unanimously approved last week by the state Assembly that was sponsored by Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande (R-Monmouth and Mercer).

“Cpl. Reynolds gave his life for his country nearly 50 years ago,” Casagrande said. “This honor is the least we can do to give back to Cpl. Reynolds, his family and his fellow veterans.”

If the measure, A-2484, were enacted into law, it would rename the Route 9 bridge over Throckmorton Street (Route 522) in Freehold Township the Cpl. Philip A. Reynolds Memorial Bridge. The bridge shadows the St. Rose of Lima cemetery where Reynolds, a member of the U.S. Marines, is buried.

Reynolds, a native and lifelong resident of Freehold Borough, died Nov. 29, 1950, during a battle in Koto-ri, Korea, when he was 20 year old. Under fire, he stood to cover a friend, but was killed while trying to clear his jammed gun. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and a Purple Heart medal.

Members of the Marine Corps League Cpl. Philip A. Reynolds Detachment of Freehold have been lobbying officials and raising money in an effort to name the Route 9 bridge in Reynolds’ honor.

“Cpl. Reynolds is a true American hero. He was out-numbered and out-gunned, but he never gave up on himself, his fellow troops or his country,” Casagrande said. “The fact that veterans are raising money to pay for any costs associated with the name change when state resources are scant shows just how important this honor is.”

In a press release, Casagrande encouraged people to help the Marine Corps League raise money for this project. More information can be found at www.njmarines. com/Bridge.html. Tax-deductible donations can be sent to Marine Corps League- Reynolds Detachment, P.O. Box 885, Freehold, NJ 07728. Checks should be payable to MCL – Reynolds Detachment with “Bridge Fund” noted in the memo area of the check.

“Even though we are all struggling right now, any donation — no matter how small — on behalf of a man who gave so much would be appreciated,” Casagrande said.