Law Dedicates Rt. 7 Span to Lance Corporal Osbrany Montes De Oca
TRENTON – Legislation Senator Paul A. Sarlo sponsored to dedicate the Route 7 bridge connecting North Arlington and Belleville after a fallen soldier from Bergen County was signed into law.
The law (A-2676/S-1823) renames the span after United State Marine Lance Corporal Osbrany Montes De Oca, a North Arlington native, who was killed Feb. 10 while serving in Afghanistan. Only 20 years old, he died just ten days after his promotion to Lance Corporal.
“The selfless sense of service that Lance Corporal Montes De Oca possessed is found in all of our brave men and women in uniform, and he should be held up as a role model for our entire community,” said Sarlo (D-Bergen/Passaic). “Naming the entryway into his hometown in his honor will not only recognize the sacrifice he made for our nation, but forever honor his memory.”
Lance Cpl. Montes De Oca was killed by a Taliban ambush as he set out from his base in Helmand Provice, Afghanistan, to begin a patrol. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Camp Lejeune, NC. Two of his brothers – including his identical twin – are also Marines.
State flags were ordered to fly at half-staff in his memory in February, but Sarlo said Montes De Oca’s service called for a more lasting memorial.
“A flag flies at half-staff for only a day, but this recognition will last for generations,” said Sarlo.
The measure was approved by the Senate in June.