Honoring the distinguished veterans from the State of New York upon the occasion of their induction into the New York State Senate 2026 Veterans Hall of Fame

Senate Resolution No. 2203

BY: Senator STEWART-COUSINS

        HONORING the distinguished veterans from the State
        of  New  York  upon  the occasion of their induction
        into the New York State Senate 2026 Veterans Hall of
        Fame

  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  honor  the
distinguished veterans from the State of New York upon the  occasion  of
their  induction  into  the  New York State Senate 2026 Veterans Hall of
Fame; and

  WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Veterans Hall of  Fame  inductees
are  members  of  any  branch  of  the United States Armed Forces, which
include Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air  Force,  and  Marine  Corps;  these
exceptional men and women are chosen for this prestigious honor based on
either  service in combat or notable work performed after discharge from
the service; and

  WHEREAS, The 2026 inductees include: Richard  V.  Acritelli,  Joseph
Austin,  Robin  Dana  Blocker,  Jerry  C.  Bowman,  Susan Branam, Joseph
Canzoneri, David Crum, Sandy Davis, John  DePerno,  Antonio  Diaz,  Lori
Dispenza, Christopher J. Douglas, Modesto Figueroa, John F. Fox, William
Frank,  Jr.,  Eugene  Gerrard,  Jaime  Gonzalez, Colden Grant, Nathan B.
Grant, Susan Herson, MD, Joseph Hunt, Willie Jackson, Lou  Jerome,  John
Harry  Kellers,  Jason D. Knapp, Eugene Loparco, Frank Marcinek, Jezebel
McIntosh, Ronnie McNair, Kevin C. Meggett, Michael R. Militello,  George
M. Morreale, John A. Neggia, Paul Oleksiw, Denis E. Oliver, Justin Young
Park,  Juan  Parra,  Martin  Pedraza,  Dominick  Pepe, Massiel Pimentel,
Joscelyn  Ralph,  Rafael  Rodriguez  Jr.,  Diego  Rubio,  Karleen  Susan
Savidge,  John  Schroeder, John Shott, Brian Sillik, Donee' Smalls, Luis
Soltero-Rodriguez, Marie-Michelle Strah, PhD, Larry  Strassner,  Michael
Sweeney,  Manolin  Tirado, Michael Carmine Vellucci, Frederico Alexander
Watson, Ron Watson, Gary A. Wood, and Michael Zemser; and

  WHEREAS, The banner of freedom will always wave over our beloved New
York and all of America, the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave;
and

  WHEREAS, The freedoms and security we cherish as Americans come at a
very high price for those serving in the military in times of  conflict;
it is fitting and proper that we, who are the beneficiaries of those who
risk their lives, must never forget the courage with which these men and
women served their country; and

  WHEREAS,  Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended,
and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and
for their dedication  to  their  communities,  their  State,  and  their
Nation; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the distinguished veterans from the State of  New  York  upon  the
occasion of their induction into the New York State Senate 2026 Veterans
Hall of Fame; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  copies  of  this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the 2026 inductees.