A crowd gathered on Route 21, in front of the family home of the late U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kory Wade, on Nov. 11, to witness the unveiling of the sign dedicating that portion of the New York highway in his honor.
Wade, a 2008 Red Jacket High School graduate who served honorably as a medical logistics airman with the 48th Rescue Squadron of the U.S. Air Force, was killed during a training exercise in June 2023.
Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan, R-Manchester, Ontario County, who championed the bill to rename this portion of Route 21 in Wade’s honor, stood in front of the sign with Wade’s parents and state Sen. Pam Helming, R-Canandaigua.
“Today, being the 11th, is kind of a special day because Kory was born on the 11th, this legislation was signed in Albany on the 11th, and we are presenting today on the 11th,” Gallahan said.
This portion of Route 21, which has been renamed “Highway Dedicated to TSgt Kory Wade,” goes from the intersection of State Route 96 to Latting Road/Standpipe Road and passes directly in front of the Wade family home, where the unveiled sign is now located.
Wade’s parents, Mike Wade and Jill Sauer-Betz, got emotional as Helming spoke of the service and sacrifice that she said defined Wade’s life.
Helming spoke of a similar bill she sponsored that dedicated a portion of the other end of Route 21 in Canandaigua to local Korean War veteran Ralph Calabrese, who died in 2021.
“When I think of Kory and I think of Ralph, I can’t see anything more fitting than both ends of this road are dedicated to these tremendous heroes,” she said. “I like to think that Ralph was waiting for Kory, and now I can’t imagine what the two of them are up to.”
Who was Tech. Sgt. Kory Wade of Manchester?
TSgt. Wade immediately enlisted in the Air Force after graduation in 2008, Gallahan said.
His exemplary service earned him numerous awards and decorations, including the Air and Space Commendation Medal, Air and Space Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the U.S. Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon.
Mike Wade, spoke through his tears about his son’s humbleness at the unveiling ceremony on Veterans Day. He said he wasn’t even aware of some of his son’s awards and honors until after his passing.
“He didn’t think he was any different than anyone else,” his father said. “It never gets easier, but now his name will be in front of his bedroom.”
Wade is known for his love of the outdoors, boating, riding motorcycles, skiing and enjoying time with family and friends. He shared a close bond with his beloved dog, Kaiser, his family stated after the bill to rename the highway was passed.
Members of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and the Shortsville American Legion helped unveil the signage, dedicating the highway to Wade.
— Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who covers breaking and trending news for the Finger Lakes Region. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn’t help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: ‘His name will be in front of his bedroom.’ Portion of NY highway renamed for fallen Airman Kory Wade
Reporting by Madison Scott, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
