Port Jeff Station street renamed in dedication of late serviceman

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Local officials recently came together to unveil a new street dedication to the memory of Tech. Sgt.Dashan Briggs.

On Dec. 18, Brookhaven Town councilwoman Valerie Cartright joined the family and friends of Tech. Sgt. Briggs on the corner of Bedford Avenue and King Street in Port Jefferson Station to unveil an honorary naming dedicated to the memory of the late hero.

The serviceman was killed with six other airmen when their HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter crashed in western Iraq on March 15, 2018. He was assigned to the 101^st Rescue Squadron, 106^th Rescue Wing and New York National Guard in Westhampton.

Earlier this year, Cartright presented his story to the Town’s Memorial Review Committee to request the honorary street name be added to King Street, located near the home of the late hero’s home, to be near his widow Rebecca and two young children Jayden and Ava.

After approval, the committee and councilwoman presented a resolution to authorize the Honorary Street Name, which passed unanimously at a town board meeting on June 6. After that, the community worked closely together to make Wednesday’s event possible.

“It was my pleasure to sponsor the resolution to dedicate the honorary street name ‘Tech. Sgt. Dashan J. Briggs,’” said the councilwoman. “We want this sign to serve as a reminder to the community of this tremendous loss, but also of how fortunate we are to have the Briggs family in our community and our responsibility and commitment to continue to support them as they move forward.”

But before the dedication in his name, a portrait unveiling ceremony was held at the Boyle Road Elementary School in Selden, where Ava revealed a portrait she painted of her father.

“We hope this will be a daily special recognition for Mrs. Briggs and for their young children that will keep their father’s memory and legacy alive in their hearts and minds,” added Cartright.