| © 2009-2010 Reynolds Detachment - Marine Corps League |
Reynolds Detachment 203
Corporal Philip A. Reynolds Memorial Bridge
Corporal Philip A. Reynolds Memorial Bridge
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| Bridge Bill was signed by Governor Corzine on 13 September 2009 ********************************* We will be holding a Dedication Ceremony on 29 November 2009 11:00 am at Philip's Grave in St. Rosa of Lima Cemetery ********************************* LOCATION: at the intersection of Route 9 and Throckmorton Street (Route 522) in Freehold. Donations can be mailed to: Marine Corps League - Reynolds Detachment P.O. Box 885 Freehold, NJ 07728 Checks payable to: MCL - Reynolds Detachment Note "Bridge Fund" in the memo section. All donations to the Bridge Fund are tax deductible. BRIDGE IN THE NEWS Naming of bridge honors Reynolds U.S. Marine from Freehold was killed in action in Korea BY CLARE MARIE CELANO News Transcript – 30 September 2009 FREEHOLD — After a long legislative and fundraising process, the bridge that carries Route 9 over Throckmorton Street will be renamed the Cpl. Philip A. Reynolds Memorial Bridge. According to Reynolds' sister, Lucille Dill, of Freehold Township, this is something that makes her very proud. "But as I have said before, everyone should remember that although the bridge will carry Philip's name, it is truly a memorial to all veterans and I believe that is the way Philip would have wanted it." Reynolds, 20, a U.S. Marine, was killed in action in Korea on Nov. 29, 1950. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart and the Silver Star. Dill said she is looking forward to attending the dedication ceremony of the bridge, which she said will take place on Nov. 29, the anniversary of her brother's death. Dan Savino, of the Marine Corps League Cpl. Phillip A. Reynolds Detachment, Freehold, said the process of trying to have the bridge renamed in Reynolds' honor began about three years ago. Savino is a past chaplain and a past junior vice commandant of the detachment. "The first person to work on the bill was state Sen. Jennifer Beck, who was an assemblywoman at the time," Savino said. "Next, Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande picked up the work. These bills were to appropriate $2,500 for the sign." Savino said he sent letters to every state representative from Gov. Jon Corzine to local officials asking for support for the renaming of the bridge. While the bills were awaiting action in the Legislature, Savino said, he decided to try to raise the money through fundraising with the help of the detachment. He said that through word of mouth and local publicity, money began coming in and enough was raised to provide a sign. No funding from the state was received. Plans are being made to give Reynolds, who is buried at the St. Rose of Lima Cemetery on Throckmorton Street, a full military honor memorial service. Reynolds did not had a military burial. "He was killed in 1950, but did not come back to the United States until 1955," Savino said, adding that it is uncertain why that delay occurred. Corzine recently signed the bill that names the bridge in Reynolds' honor. Casagrande said, "Cpl. Philip Reynolds gave his life in the service of his country during the Korean War and his sacrifice was such that his fellow Marines took it upon themselves to raise all of the money needed to rename the bridge. This bridge will not only be a testament to Cpl. Reynolds, but to the Marine Corps League Cpl. Philip A. Reynolds Detachment, who made it their mission to honor their fallen comrade without funding from the state. This goes to show what a group of dedicated and determined people can accomplish when they believe in their goal." Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon said, "We must remember the fallen soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and I am proud to have sponsored this bill with Assemblywoman Casagrande and Sen. Beck to honor Cpl. Reynolds, a United States Marine who lost his life in the service of his country over 50 years ago. May his sacrifice never be forgotten." "The signing of this law has been a long time coming," Beck said, "and I am pleased this day has finally arrived. We have so many brave men and women who have given their lives for our country, and it speaks very highly of Cpl. Reynolds' memory that all these years later he is being honored by the very detachment that bears his name. It is because of their hard work and dedication that this bill will be signed into law, while not asking for a dime of funding from the state." |
