The Name Behind the New Parkway Exit 83 Road

The name behind the for Parkway Interchange 83 honors a man who is credited with having a major impact in World War II.

Known internationally for World War II bravery, continues to be remembered in town a year after his death of natural causes.

The longtime Toms River resident now has his name atop what county officials are hoping has a dramatic impact on the often backed up intersection of Routes 571 and 166 — a new road connecting with Parkway North at mile 83.

Formerly drivers would have to turn from Route 571 onto Route 166 south to meet the parkway entrance. The new road allows for directly hopping on or off parkway northbound at Route 571. Drivers can also bypass the old intersection and use the road to get to Route 166.

Though naming the road after Lomell is a large public tribute, it's not the only Lomell honor in town. In Toms River town hall, a gallery of Lomell's awards and items from his personal collection are on display.

Lomell, 91, was a highly decorated World War II veteran and Silver Star recipient. He served in the Second Ranger Battalion and led a platoon of U.S. Army Rangers as they climbed up the Pointe du Hoc cliffs in Normandy on June 6, 1944, managing to disable the German guns during the D-Day invasion, as he described in countless interviews with media, including Tom Brokaw. Brokaw wrote of Lomell in his book “the Greatest Generation.”

The gallery downtown features paintings and photography, as well as interesting artifacts that are often rotated out of the Lomell collection.

The display is free and open when the building is open. However, the room is often used as a meeting space for local groups and is closed for browsing then.

To visit the gallery, head to town hall, 33 Washington Street. Here's some images from the display, attached to this article.