Commending Donald L. Hersey posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate

Senate Resolution No. 2103

BY: Senator TEDISCO

        COMMENDING  Donald L. Hersey posthumously upon the
        occasion  of  his  designation  as  recipient  of  a
        Liberty  Medal,  the  highest honor bestowed upon an
        individual by the New York State Senate

  WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of  New  York,
who  have  served  so  valiantly  and  honorably  in  wars in which this
country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of  peace
in peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

  WHEREAS,  This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Donald L.
Hersey posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an  individual  by  the
New York State Senate; and

  WHEREAS,  The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
Resolution and is  awarded  to  individuals  who  have  merited  special
commendation  for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and

  WHEREAS, Donald L. Hersey  is  being  honored  posthumously  by  the
Saratoga  County  Veterans  Service  Agency  at  its  Honor our Deceased
Veterans Ceremony on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the  County  Building  in
Ballston Spa, New York; and

  WHEREAS, Donald L. Hersey was born on November 28, 1945, in Corinth,
New York, to parents Louis and Mabel and attended Galway Schools; and

  WHEREAS,  Entering  into  the U.S. Marine Corps on January 29, 1965,
Donald L. Hersey trained as an  Engineer  Equipment  Operator  and  then
served as a Combat Engineer in Vietnam; and

  WHEREAS, After his Vietnam service, Donald L. Hersey was assigned to
Company B 8th Engineer Battalion at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and

  WHEREAS,  On  October  7, 1967, Donald L. Hersey married his beloved
wife, Beverly, with whom he had three cherished children; and

  WHEREAS, Donald L. Hersey was honorably discharged at  the  rank  of
Sergeant  on  January  28,  1968,  and  later  served  in  the U.S. Army
Reserves; and

  WHEREAS, For his dedicated and valuable service,  Donald  L.  Hersey
was  awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnamese Service Medal with 1
Star, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnamese Campaign  Medal
with Device, and the Presidential Unit Citation; and

  WHEREAS,  Following  his years of impactful military service, Donald
L.  Hersey was self-employed with numerous endeavors, such as bulldozing
and landscaping work; later, he was  employed  by  the  former  Lockheed
Martin in West Milton, New York, until his retirement in 2002; and

  WHEREAS,  Donald  L.  Hersey was an admired member of the Providence
Volunteer Ambulance Corp and the Volunteer Fire Department; he was  also
a proud member of the American Legion Post 1461; and

  WHEREAS,  Donald  L. Hersey died on December 20, 2025, at the age of
80; and

  WHEREAS, Donald L. Hersey, in his lifetime of selfless service,  has
so  aptly  demonstrated  his character and compassion for the welfare of
others, personifying, by virtue of his action, the collective concern of
ordinary citizens across the community of New York State who voluntarily
respond without thinking of danger or reward when others need help; now,
therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
commend   Donald  L.  Hersey  posthumously  upon  the  occasion  of  his
designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor  bestowed
upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Donald L. Hersey.