NORTH SMITHFIELD, R.I. (AP) - Efforts to name a post office in Rhode Island after a soldier who died during a training exercise in 2017 are moving forward.
The U.S. Senate this week unanimously approved legislation to name the postal facility in the Slatersville section of North Smithfield after Spc. Matthew Turcotte, according to a statement from Democratic U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse.
The North Smithfield native was serving with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 4th Infantry Division when he was killed in August 2017 during a live-ammunition training exercise at Fort Carson in Colorado. He was 20 years old.
An identical measure sponsored by Democratic Reps. David Cicilline and Jim Langevin was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Turcotte enlisted in the Army while attending North Smithfield High School, where he was a co-captain of the football team.
He was deployed to Kosovo and earned several awards and medals for his service.
“Matthew was a dedicated soldier, promising young man, and proud son of Rhode Island. He died in the line of duty and naming this post office after him is a small token of our enduring gratitude for his faithful service to our nation,” Reed said.
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