Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) joined State Senator Pete Harckham and local officials in Somers for the official unveiling of the Purple Heart Highway, dedicating a portion of State Route 35 in honor of Westchester County's Purple Heart recipients. The designation was made possible through legislation sponsored by Slater in the Assembly and Harckham in the Senate, recognizing the bravery and sacrifices of service members wounded or killed in combat.

The legislation (A.8237/S.6930B), signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2025, designates the stretch of Route 35 beginning at its intersection with State Route 202 and extending eastward to State Route 100 as the Purple Heart Highway. The roadway was selected for its proximity to Lasdon Public Gardens and Veterans Memorial, home of the Trail of Honor, making it a fitting location to recognize those who have received one of our nation's most distinguished military decorations.

“There are few honors more sacred than the Purple Heart, a symbol of the immense sacrifice made by our nation's heroes,” said Slater. “It was a privilege to stand alongside Senator Harckham, Eugene Lang and our local veterans as we officially unveiled this dedication. Eugene has been a tremendous advocate for Purple Heart recipients, and his commitment to ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten helped make this moment possible. I'm proud to have sponsored this legislation in the Assembly and grateful to Senator Harckham for his partnership in making this tribute a reality.”

The dedication was made possible in large part through the advocacy of Somers resident and Purple Heart recipient Eugene Lang and members of Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 21 in Yorktown Heights, who worked with Slater and Harckham to advance the roadway designation.

“I would like to thank Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblyman Matt Slater for their persistence in getting this legislation signed into law,” said Lang. “Members of Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 21 will be honored to see a portion of Route 35 named in recognition of the brave men and women who have received the Purple Heart.”

Senator Harckham, who sponsored the legislation in the Senate, emphasized the importance of recognizing the sacrifices made by Purple Heart recipients and ensuring their service is honored throughout the community.

“This is extremely important because the folks who received the Purple Heart are the ones who literally shed blood for our freedom,” said Harckham. “Dedicating this section of Route 35 to Westchester's Purple Heart recipients is a meaningful way to recognize these service members who have been awarded one of the highest honors in our nation's military. I thank Assemblyman Matt Slater for his partnership in making this tribute possible, as well as the members of Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 21 in Yorktown Heights for their advocacy for this roadway designation.”

Slater and Harckham were joined at the unveiling ceremony by Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, County Legislator Erika Pierce, Somers Town Supervisor Robert Scorrano, local veterans and community members.

“I want to recognize the hard work that was done by Senator Harckham and Assemblymember Slater working together to make sure that the Westchester County Purple Heart Memorial Highway was completed, and certainly to Eugene Lange for his advocacy,” said Jenkins. “We have to continue to say that 'freedom is not free,' and this dedication helps provide the proper recognition to the heroes in our community who have shed blood for our country.”

Somers Town Supervisor Robert Scorrano also recognized the significance of the designation for the community.

“Somers is deeply honored to have a portion of Route 35 designated as the New York State Purple Heart Trail in recognition of Westchester County's Purple Heart veterans,” said Scorrano. “Thanks to the leadership of Senator Harckham and Assemblyman Slater, this tribute ensures that the courage and sacrifice of these heroes will always be remembered here in our community.”

The Purple Heart Highway designation serves as a lasting tribute to the men and women who have been wounded or killed in combat, ensuring that their courage, service and sacrifices remain recognized for generations to come.