The decision facing the state Transportation Commission isn't an easy one.
In the past, the commission decided it would no longer allow segments of roads and highways to be named after more than one single party.
That seems like a sound idea.
But now comes a group that presents an especially different case. The Transportation Commission has been approached by veterans who want Interstate 90 designated as the Purple Heart Trail, honoring veterans who have been wounded in the line of duty. The project is a 50-state effort that was started in 1992 by the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
But Interstate 90 already honors former President Dwight Eisenhower, the father of the nation's interstate system.
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The state Department of Transportation has tabled the request until later this month.
So on one hand, the DOT must consider the rule that's supposed to limit the number of names attached to highways and roads. And on the other, Purple Heart winners sure do seem deserving.
What to do?
We say name I-90 the Purple Heart Trail, since this particular group is so numerous, wide-reaching and worthy.
This is a nation whose many freedoms have been preserved by veterans. Many of those veterans died or were wounded on our behalf. If he was alive today, Eisenhower -- the Army general and architect of the Allies' World War II victory over Germany -- would agree.
Meanwhile, we believe governmental groups must be very wary of allowing any roads and highways to be named for individual persons or special-interest groups. Public property should not be subjected to perpetual naming simply because a person died, however unfortunate the circumstances or however heart-wrenching the pleas.
But in this case, we think it's a good idea to make an exception for Purple Heart winners everywhere.
