150 years after their heroic efforts helped preserve the Battle of Gettysburg, a local Civil War regiment was honored with a historical marker in their hometown. Assemblywoman Lupardo spearheaded the effort with the help of local historian David Cleutz and Civil War history buffs Bern Mulligan and Tom Haines. Colonel David Ireland trained the 137th NY Volunteer Infantry at Camp Susquehanna on Binghamton’s south side before going on to fight in a number of battles during the Civil War. Most notably, the 137th defended the right flank at Culp’s Hill in Gettysburg; many historians argue the efforts of Col. Ireland and the 137th helped preserve the Union’s victory in the war’s decisive battle. On June 23, 2016 the marker was dedicated on Conklin Avenue in Binghamton, near the spot where the regiment trained. The following spring, the same group dedicated a section of NYS Rt. 434 the Col. David Ireland Memorial Highway, just blocks from the Camp Susquehanna site. the highway renaming was a result of legislation introduced and passed by Lupardo.
Left to right: Assemblywoman Lupardo with David Cleutz, Tom Haines, and Bern Mulligan. The three worked with Lupardo to erect the new historical marker; a Matthew Brady photograph of Col. David Ireland, commander of the 137th NY Volunteer Infantry; and the sign designating a portion of State Rt. 434 as the Col. David Ireland Memorial Highway.