Avenues of heroes
N.B. veterans may get streets named in their honor
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

To celebrate local war heroes, North Brunswick officials are making a bid to have residential streets named in honor of community veterans.

Township Council President Bob Davis is spearheading an effort to compile a list of residents who have served as recently as the Iraq War to as far back as World War I to honor their dedication and service to this country.

After reading a newspaper article about William Mount Jr., an 81-year-old resident and decorated war veteran who was killed by a motor vehicle last month while crossing the street to retrieve his mail, he felt the township needed to recognize its heroes.

“I think they deserve to be honored in a special way,” the councilman said.

Davis is seeking to analyze new developments during the township’s master plan review this year and suggest that developers choose from a list of specific names when creating their street addresses.

“I think it will make it easier when naming a new street instead of changing a street someone already lives on,” he said.

The process is a common one, in which the Planning Board can make their recommendations as part of a condition of approval for developers during their conceptual planning phase, according to Councilman Ralph Andrews, the liaison to the Planning Board.

“Normally they submit a list, but we’re allowed to suggest names,” he said.

Andrews, whose father was a Purple Heart recipient during World War II, understands the necessity of proper recognition for veterans.

“We don’t really give them enough recognition. We just don’t think about it. When you see what they’re going through and what they did ... most of us haven’t experienced that,” he said. “They don’t advertise their service. They just served and did their job. ... The history of what they did is amazing.”

Also involved with the collaboration is Linwood Middle School Principal Pete Clark, who holds a Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Park each year. Unfortunately, at last year’s event, only three military representatives were present alongside very few members of the community.

“This is one way of bringing our veterans back together,” he said.

Noting that Sayreville and Clark have similar protocols in which an ordinance is passed for a committee to discuss street names with the governing bodies, the principal said the program will greatly enhance the character of the town.

“This gives a little more meaning to different streets and areas of town, and it honors the men and women who have fought in our wars,” he said. “I think we need to try and reach out and keep [their] memory alive, and I hope with this we can do so.”

To add the name of someone who has served in the military to the township’s master list or to suggest someone for street sign consideration, contact the clerk’s office at (732) 247-0922, ext. 470.