California plans to pay tribute to “Full Metal Jacket’” actor and Marine icon R. Lee Ermey by naming a road after him.
A seven-mile stretch of road in Palmdale, California, known as Avenue N will be renamed R. Lee Ermey Avenue, in honor of the acclaimed actor and Marine veteran, according to a fundraising page associated with Ermey’s supporters.
Stars and Stripes reported that the stretch of road will also play the “The Marines’ Hymn” when driving over special grooves in the road.
California officials with Palmdale and Lancaster, Los Angeles County and California Department of Transportation approved the effort to rename the avenue but lack the funding to put the endeavor into action.
RELATED
Supporters of Ermey have since sprung into action by launching a GoFundMe page to raise $150,000 to pay for street signs, highway signs and memorial plaques, according to the fundraising page.
The stretch of road to be renamed was closest to Ermey’s home of nearly 20 years, the Antelope Valley Press reported.
The legendary Marine passed away at the age of 74 in April due to complications of pneumonia.
He is best known for his role as the hard charging drill instructor Gunnery Sgt. Hartman in the 1987 hit movie “Full Metal Jacket.” The movie earned the former Marine a Golden Globe nomination for best supporting actor.
Ermey had left the Corps as a staff sergeant in 1972 after serving nearly 11 years of service. He picked up the rank of gunny as an honorary promotion in 2002 from then-Commandant Gen. James Jones.
The newly renamed road will be unveiled at a public ceremony during the Corps' 243rd birthday on Nov. 10, the Antelope Valley Press reported.
Shawn Snow is the senior reporter for Marine Corps Times and a Marine Corps veteran.
