Part Of Philly Roadway Renamed To Honor Local War Heroes
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A section of Columbus Boulevard in Philadelphia underwent a name change, commemorating two local heroes who fought in World War II.
The stretch between Oregon and Washington Avenues is now known as William Guarnere and Edward Heffron Memorial Boulevard.
"This section of the road embodies South Philadelphia," says Debbi Rafferty, Guarnere's granddaughter. "Penn's Landing is close by, my grandfather hung out at the Navy Yard."
Both men grew up in South Philly and went to the same high school, but did not meet until they were stationed together in WWII.
Their stories were part of the 2001 miniseries "Band of Brothers," produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, which chronicled Easy Company's missions during the war.
State Representative Bill Keller was close with both men:
"I think their memory will live on for a long time, between the miniseries and the statue and naming the boulevard after them, I think it will help their names go on forever."
Guarnere and Heffron died just a few years ago.