DPA Renamed for Fallen Babylon Solider

"Thank you... thank you to everyone for coming," said Dorine Kenney, the mother of Army Specialist Jacob S. Fletcher, surrounded by members of local government and the Patriot Guard holding flags and standing at attention.

Her voice was lower than the others who had spoken before her, but the words she said hit home for all in attendance. A few tears fell from her eyes as she and Legislator Steve Stern walked over to a covered roadway sign to unveil the reason for a large gathering of residents, reporters and representatives at Village Line Road and Deer Park Avenue on the Babylon/North Babylon border.

The cover completely pulled off, the new gleaming sign revealed "Army Specialist Jacob Flecther Avenue." Kenney smiled at the sign as it took in sunlight for the first time in public.

Fletcher, a Babylon High School graduate, had always wanted to join the army, even as a little boy. He was initially denied entry following an injury to his leg, but was inspired to try again after the September 11th attacks in 2001. He realized his dream as he attended boot camp at Fort Benning, Georgia.

He graduated and joined the 173rd Airborne Brigade, becoming one of 1,000 soldiers to make the jump into Iraq on March 26, 2003, leading to the eventually invasion of the country. Unfortunately, Fletcher was killed later that year in November in an explosion by a road-side bomb.

"We often hear the word 'hero' bandied about," said Suffolk County Legislator Steve Bellone. "The word, in fact, is often used incorrectly... but there can be no doubt this word applies here, without question."

Leg. Wayne Horsley, who lives a few blocks away from the freshly unveiled sign, told the crowd he would be proud to live so close to a reminder of a true American hero.

More information on Army Specialist Jacob Fletcher and the foundation in his honor can be found here.