Bill Text: NY J00890 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Commending Herbert C. Thorpe upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Lake Delta Kiwanis on May 17, 2023
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-05-09 - ADOPTED [J00890 Detail]
Download: New_York-2023-J00890-Introduced.html
Senate Resolution No. 890 BY: Senator GRIFFO COMMENDING Herbert C. Thorpe upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Lake Delta Kiwanis on May 17, 2023 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, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commend those who have served in times of active conflict, as well as those who have served in times of peace; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Herbert C. Thorpe upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Lake Delta Kiwanis on May 17, 2023; and WHEREAS, The dedication and sacrifices of our military personnel ensure our continued role as a Nation which embodies the ideals of democracy, and is a defender of liberty for peoples throughout the world; and WHEREAS, Herbert C. Thorpe was born in New York City and raised in Brooklyn, New York; he attended Brooklyn Public Schools and graduated from high school in 1940; he enrolled in the U.S. Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and served in camps at Van Etten, New York, Camden, New York, and Beltsville, Maryland from 1940 to 1942; and WHEREAS, Herbert C. Thorpe enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves and attended U.S. Signal Corps School in Troy, New York until the Spring of 1943; he began his active-duty service at military basic training in June of 1943 at Ft. Dix, New Jersey and Kcams Field, Utah; and WHEREAS, While in Utah, he applied and was accepted for Aviation Cadet School in December of 1943; in 1944, he was sent to Keesler Field in Biloxi, Mississippi, where he completed altitude testing; and WHEREAS, In January 1944, he transferred to Aviation Cadet School at Tuskegee Institute, Alabama; after completing Primary Flight School at the Institute, he was transferred to Basic Training Flight School at Tuskegee Army Air Field (TAAF) and was selected with others for Multi-Engine training; and WHEREAS, In mid-1944, he was transferred to Gunnery School at Tyndall Field, Florida, then to Bombardier/Navigator School at Midland Army Air Field in Texas; and WHEREAS, Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant Navigator/Bombardier on December 30, 1944, in Midland, Texas, 2nd Lt. Thorpe returned to Tuskegee and began Advanced Flight Training school and qualified as a B-25 (twin-engine) Pilot at TAAF in October of 1945; he remained at TAAF and left the service in August of 1946; and WHEREAS, After his involvement with the military, Herbert C. Thorpe attended New York University and graduated as an Electrical Engineer; he spent time working as a Radar Systems Engineer at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and as a Radar Research Engineer in Beacon Systems at Rome Air Development Center Griffiss AFB; he additionally served as a part time counselor at Mohawk Valley Community College for thirteen years; and WHEREAS, Herbert C. Thorpe's community involvement includes service as a 50-year Member of the First Presbyterian Church in Rome, New York; Charter Member, Secretary & Past President of the Rome Branch NAACP; Charter Member & Secretary of the Former Prince Hall Military Lodge No. 112; Charter Member and Secretary of the Afro-American Heritage Association in Rome, New York; Charter Member, Past President, and Secretary of the Mohawk Valley Frontiers Club; Past Member and Advisory Board of the Oneida County Office for the Aging; and a Member of the Tuskegee Airmen Inc. (TAI), Claude B. Govan Tri-State Chapter of New York; and WHEREAS, Herbert C. Thorpe was presented with the honorable 1st New York State Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award in 2012 and in 2013; he also received the esteemed Rome Historical Society 1777 Medal of Honor Award; and WHEREAS, His wife, children, numerous grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his plentiful achievements; 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, Having exhibited their patriotism both at home and abroad, these men and women demonstrated their love for their country and merit forevermore, the highest respect of their State and Nation; 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 commend Herbert C. Thorpe upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Lake Delta Kiwanis on May 17, 2023; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Herbert C. Thorpe.