Rensselaer County bridge renamed in honor of local veteran
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RENSSELAER COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - A bridge in Rensselaer County, spanning Washington Avenue and Interstate 90, has been renamed in honor of a local veteran. The unveiling ceremony took place on Sunday morning, officially naming the bridge the “CW2 Casey N. Frankoski Memorial Bridge," according to an announcement from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office.
The ceremony involved local leaders, friends and family members of Casey N. Frankoski who remembered her as a person, Army National Guard solider and dedicated pilot.
"You could count of her all the time," Casey's mother Jill Frankoski said. "She was a very empathic person. Very well rounded, she was beautiful inside and out."
"She was just a very caring loving person, she loved having fun, she loved her family and she just cared about everybody," Jesse Frankoski said, Casey brother.
Legislation number S.9338/A specifically renames the bridge on Washington Avenue crossing Interstate 90 in Rensselaer as the “CW2 Casey N. Frankoski Memorial Bridge,” in memory of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski. Frankoski, an Army National Guard soldier, tragically lost her life in a helicopter crash on March 8, 2024, while patrolling the US-Mexico border near La Grulla, Texas.
This renaming is part of a comprehensive package of legislation signed on November 11, which aims to support veterans. The package includes renaming state roads and bridges after local veterans, enhancing access to veterans’ benefits, improving the quality of supportive housing available, including training for housing providers, and expanding the veteran tuition awards program for non-combat veterans.
Local leaders involoved in the project to rename the bridge said it is now a reminder of the person Casey was, and a story that can be shared by thousands driving along the interstate.
Prior to her passing, Frankoski had enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in October 2016 and was promoted to Warrant Officer 2 in 2021. She had gained expertise as a UH-60 Black Hawk and UH-72 Lakota helicopter pilot.
For more information about this veteran support package and the grant funding available, individuals interested can visit the governor’s website or the State Department of Veterans’ Services website.
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