A stretch of highway in the town of Bethlehem on State Route 140 and the Cherry Avenue Extension has been renamed the Captain Timothy J. Moshier Memorial Highway in honor of the Delmar native and pilot killed this spring in Iraq.
I know the people of Bethlehem, Albany and New York state are never going to forget Capt. Moshier, said Gov. George Pataki who signed the legislation officially naming the highway.
`From now on all motorists will have a constant reminder and tribute to our local hero,` he added.
The event attended by Moshier’s widow, Katie, and his family was a somber reminder of the sacrifices made by the soldiers serving in Iraq.
`Our family is extremely humbled and honored,` said Jim Moshier, Timothy Moshier’s father. `As you pass over Tim’s highway, be reminded of his service and of the service of all the men and women who protect us.`
Sen. Neil Breslin, D-Delmar, sponsor of the bill, said the town will always remember Timothy.
`Politics have been put away to support a hero, and I am humbled to sponsor this legislation,` Breslin said.
Katie Moshier said the honor is a special tribute that will have great meaning to 18-month-old daughter Natalie.
`Every day Natalie has something to look at to honor her dad,` said Katie Mosher.
Jim Moshier said he has collected five coins since the day his son was killed. The Saint Christopher medal, the West Point challenge coin, the two unit aviation coins of his son’s service in the military and the coin of faith.
`The coin of faith reminds me of concepts in life not easily seen,` said Jim Moshier. `Concepts of peace, of courage, honor, respect and love which are not so easily defined.`
Also in attendance at the dedication ceremony was Albany County Executive Michael Breslin and State Department of Transportation Commissioner Thomas J. Madison Jr.
`By designating state roads as memorial highways, we pay tribute to the brave men and women who served our country,` said Madison.
The Department of Transportation has installed two signs on State Route 140 noting the designation, one on the south-bound side at State Route 85, and the other on the northbound side at Kenwood Avenue.
Moshier was 25 at the time the Apache helicopter he piloted was shot down in Iraq on April 1, a few miles outside of Baghdad. A memorial service was held in Bethlehem this past spring for Moshier. He graduated from Bethlehem Central High School in 1998 and went directly to West Point.
`He was going to go to West Point, and he was going to fly,` said County Executive Michael Breslin. ‘He knew it; he had that commitment.`
Moshier flew under the name Black Jack 16, and his co-pilot was known as Black Jack 23.
`Black Jack 16 and Black Jack 23 rest in peace,` said Jim Moshier. `We have the fight and we will not fail.“
