A local family is memorializing their daughter in a special way after the City Council approved to rename her childhood street after her.
Seaman Lakiba Palmer was one of 17 sailors killed in a suicide bombing attack in the Yermeni port in Aden on Oct. 12, 2000. The street she grew up on, which is currently Lise Avenue, will be renamed Lakiba Palmer Avenue to honor the fallen sailor.
The City Council voted unanimously today to rename the street in Palmers honor after seven years of her family trying to make the change.
“It is my honor to support the Palmer Family and the American Legion’s request today to rename Lise Avenue to Lakiba Palmer Avenue in recognition of her ultimate sacrifice and contributions to this Country. Lakiba Palmer is undoubtedly a hero,” Councilmember Myrtle Cole, who represents that area, said in a statement.
Palmer's mother, Theresa Snell, called the street naming "bittersweet."
"It's sweet because of the name," Snell said. "Bitter because of how (the death) happened."
Still, Snell said naming the street after her daughter is fitting.
Local
"She's a product of the fourth district," she said. "Why not? Nothing better than to name a street after her."
Several residents from the neighborhood came to the City Council to voice their concerns about the technical work that would need to be done on with the street change. Others said at the meeting that Palmer should be honored with something larger than a street, like a plaque or park nearby, and not just a street.
Some residents are worried they need to file a change in address due to this change. However, the U.S. Postal Service assured customers that all changes are done internally and support is available if needed.
Palmer was a Purple Heart Medal recipient and one of the first women killed on a naval battle ship in the U.S. Naval history.
