Bill Text: NY J02888 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Senate Resolution 2888 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Commending Marilynn A. and Gerald John Wright, Sr. posthumously upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of a Liberty Medal

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-12-22 - ADOPTED [J02888 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-J02888-Introduced.html


Senate Resolution No. 2888

BY: Senator JORDAN

        COMMENDING Marilynn A. and Gerald John Wright, Sr.
        posthumously  upon the occasion of their designation
        as recipients 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 Marilynn
A. and Gerald John Wright, Sr. posthumously upon the occasion  of  their
designation as recipients 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, Marilynn A. Wright  was  born  on  September  26,  1920  in
Pittsfield,  Maine  to  Charles  and  Jessie  Ryant; her family moved to
Tewksbury, Massachusetts, where she grew  up  and  graduated  from  high
school; and

  WHEREAS,  On  March  1,  1943,  Marilynn  A.  Wright enrolled in the
Women's Army Corps (WAC) and was stationed at the  Engineer  Replacement
Center  at  Fort  Devens,  Massachusetts; she was later assigned to Fort
Leonard Wood, Missouri; and

  WHEREAS, Marilynn A. Wright was the only woman assigned to a  United
States Navy Seabees unit for the purpose of repairing bridges stateside;
she  was  honorably  discharged  on  August 30, 1943, having served five
months and 30 days of active duty; and

  WHEREAS, Gerald John Wright, Sr. was born on March 8, 1918, to Elmer
T.  and Leona Wright Beeman in Oneida Valley, New York, where he grew up
and graduated from high school; and

  WHEREAS, On April 21, 1939, Gerald John Wright, Sr. enlisted in  the
United States Army and qualified with the M1 Garand; he was trained as a
light  truck  driver  and served in the States for three years and three
months; and

  WHEREAS, Private  First-Class  Gerald  John  Wright,  Sr.  was  then
assigned  to  Battery  D,  5th  Field Artillery Battalion in the Eastern
Theater of Operation on August 7, 1942; his unit was  part  of  the  1st
Infantry  Division  which  participated in every major European campaign
during World War II from North Africa to Germany; and

  WHEREAS, After valiantly serving his country abroad  for  two  years
and   10  months,  Private  First-Class  Gerald  John  Wright,  Sr.  was
discharged at Fort Dix, New Jersey on June 15, 1945; and

  WHEREAS,  For  his  courageous  service during World War II, Private
First-Class Gerald John Wright, Sr. was awarded the  Bronze  Star,  EAME
Service  Medal,  American  Defense  Service  Medal, World War II Victory
Medal and the Good Conduct Medal; and

  WHEREAS, Gerald John Wright, Sr. and the former  Marilynn  A.  Ryant
were  united in marriage on April 4, 1942, and together they raised five
children, Fred, Gerald Jr., Carol, Roger and Richard; Gerald worked as a
truck driver for Schwerman Trucking and Marilynn  worked  as  a  nurse's
aide at various facilities in New York State; and

  WHEREAS,  They  were  the proud grandparents of eight grandchildren,
eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; and

  WHEREAS, Furthermore, both Gerald and Marilynn were  active  members
of the American Legion Post No. 184 in Hudson, New York; and

  WHEREAS,  Marilynn A. Wright died on December 8, 2016, at the age of
96, and was buried next to her beloved  husband  at  Tyler  Cemetery  in
Kirkville, New York; 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  risked  their
lives for their beloved Nation; and

  WHEREAS,  Having exhibited their patriotism both at home and abroad,
Marilynn A. and Gerald John Wright, Sr. both demonstrated their love for
their country and merit forevermore the highest respect  of  this  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  Marilynn  A.  and Gerald John Wright, Sr. posthumously upon the
occasion of their designation as recipients  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 Marilynn A. and Gerald John Wright, Sr.