A portion of Route 21 in Manchester, Ontario County, is set to be renamed in honor of Technical Sgt. Kory Wade, pending the signature of Governor Kathy Hochul on recently passed legislation. The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan and Senator Pam Helming, aims to commemorate the fallen airman who lost his life during a training exercise in 2023.
The proposed dedication will rename the stretch of Route 21 from Route 96 to its intersection with Latting and Standpipe roads after Wade. Helming expressed her sentiments on this initiative: “One of my greatest honors as a New York state senator is recognizing the courageous men and women who have served our nation with distinction in the United States Armed Forces.” She further added that dedicating this part of Route 21 would serve as “a small but lasting tribute to a life of service and sacrifice.”
Kory Wade was a Manchester native and an alumnus of Red Jacket High School’s class of 2008. He joined the Air Force thereafter and served as a medical logistics airman with the 48th Rescue Squadron. His passing occurred on June 17, 2023, during a training operation.
