Congratulating Gordon Duheme upon the occasion of his designation as a recipient of an Honor Flight on May 2, 2026

Assembly Resolution No. 1209

BY: M. of A. Buttenschon

        CONGRATULATING  Gordon Duheme upon the occasion of
        his designation as a recipient of an Honor Flight on
        May 2, 2026

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

  WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with which these men and women served their country, and must  recognize
that  no  greater  debt  is  owed than that owed to those who gave their
lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to  be  missing
in action; and

  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud to congratulate
Gordon Duheme upon the occasion of his designation as a recipient of  an
Honor Flight on Saturday, May 2, 2026; and

  WHEREAS, Honor Flights are an opportunity to recognize and thank the
Americans  who  secured  our  freedom  by  bringing them to the Nation's
capital to see the memorials that commemorate their service, giving them
a hero's welcome every step of the way; and

  WHEREAS, Participation in an Honor Flight trip  gives  veterans  the
opportunity  to  share  this  momentous  occasion  with  other comrades,
remember the fallen, and share their stories and experiences with  other
veterans; and

  WHEREAS,  Currently,  Honor Flight Network commends those who served
during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War,  and  veterans  of
any  service  era  who are critically ill; in New York State alone, more
than 5,000 members of our armed services have fulfilled  their  wish  of
visiting  our  Nation's capital and all its sites and memorials honoring
our country's great history; and

  WHEREAS,  Gordon  Duheme  is  justly  deserving  of  this   esteemed
privilege  and  opportunity  for  his  dedicated service with the United
States Air Force beginning in 1956; he was stationed in at various bases
across the United States, including Keesler AFB in Mississippi,  Langley
AFB in Virginia, and Griffiss AFB in Rome, NY; and

  WHEREAS,  During  the  course  of  his enlistment, Gordon Duheme was
deployed numerous times, serving in Japan from 1957 to 1958, Iwo Jima in
1958, the Philippines from 1965 to 1967,  Vietnam  from  1971  to  1972,
Germany from 1975-1978, and Turkey from 1979-1980; and

  WHEREAS,  After  his  illustrious  thirty-year  career  with the Air
Force, during which he earned the Meritorious Service Medal as  well  as
thirteen  other ribbons, Gordon Duheme retired at the high and honorable
rank of E9 as a Chief Master Sargent, after which he went on to work for
Civil Service in the 485th Engineer Installations Team; and


  WHEREAS,  Gordon  Duheme  is  a father to four daughters who live in
Omaha, Nebraska and is currently married to Ruth Duheme and is known  as
Pops to her daughter and two sons; and

  WHEREAS,  Having exhibited their patriotism both at home and abroad,
these brave men and women of our military have demonstrated  their  love
for  their  country  and merit forevermore, the highest respect of their
State and Nation; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
congratulate  Gordon  Duheme  upon  the occasion of his designation as a
recipient of an Honor Flight on May 2, 2026; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Gordon Duheme.