Bill Text: NY J02909 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commending Howard Richard Neahr 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

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-12-22 - ADOPTED [J02909 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-J02909-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 2909

BY: Senator TEDISCO

        COMMENDING  Howard Richard Neahr 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 Howard
Richard Neahr 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, to be  celebrated  on  Tuesday,
October 18, 2022; 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, Born on July 8, 1924, Howard Richard "Dick"  Neahr  entered
the  United  States  Army  on  April 8, 1943 in Albany, New York; he was
stationed at Camp Croft and  Fort  Meade  before  being  transferred  to
Liverpool, England and Northern Ireland for training; and

  WHEREAS,  After  the D Day invasion, Howard Richard Neahr spent time
in Luxembourg and across France as the defense lines moved; he was  shot
in  the leg during the Battle of the Bulge in January of 1945, and spent
eight weeks in the hospital before being sent back to France  to  rejoin
his unit; and

  WHEREAS,  Howard  Richard  Neahr bravely served his country overseas
with the 409th Infantry Regiment 103rd Division in the Ardennes, Central
Europe, Normandy, Northern  France,  and  Rhineland;  he  was  honorably
discharged  on  September  29, 1945, at the rank of Private First Class;
and

  WHEREAS, For his courageous service  during  World  War  II,  Howard
Richard  Neahr  was  awarded  the  Purple Heart, European-African-Middle
Eastern Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, Combat  Infantry  Badge,
and WWII Victory Medal; and

  WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, Howard Richard
Neahr returned home to Providence, New York; and

  WHEREAS,  Howard  Richard  Neahr and his high school sweetheart, the
former Sylvia Thorton, were united in marriage on March  28,  1942,  and
together they raised seven children; and

  WHEREAS,  Throughout  his  life,  Howard Richard Neahr worked on his
family's farm delivering milk, plowing and milling trees;  he  was  also

employed  by the New York State Thruway Authority for 21 years, retiring
in 1986; and

  WHEREAS,  Howard  Richard  Neahr  loved  to  hunt  and  enjoyed  the
outdoors; while he was passionate  about  many  things,  above  all  his
greatest passion was spending time with his beloved family; and

  WHEREAS,  Howard  Richard Neahr died on November 2, 2019, at the age
of 95; 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 his patriotism both at  home  and  abroad,
Howard  Richard  Neahr  demonstrated his love for his country and merits
forevermore the highest respect of his 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 Howard Richard Neahr  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 Howard Richard Neahr.