Senate Resolution No. 3285

BY: Senator AKSHAR

        COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Richard
        J.  Hoyt  Veterans  of  Foreign Wars Post No. 478 of
        Binghamton, New York

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative  Body  to  commend  and
support  the  purposeful  cause of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) of
the United  States  of  America,  recognizing  its  long  and  sustained
commitment to the principles of democracy and freedom so revered by this
State and Nation; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
commemorate  the  100th  Anniversary  of the Richard J. Hoyt Veterans of
Foreign Wars Post No. 478 of Binghamton, New York, celebrated on Sunday,
July 12, 2020; and

  WHEREAS, The State of New York  takes  great  pride  in  recognizing
those  remarkable  individuals  who  have  served  the  United States of
America through military service with honor, integrity, and courage,  as
well  as  those organizations which foster comradery among United States
veterans of overseas conflicts, advocating for all  veterans  to  ensure
they  are  respected  for their service and receive the entitlements and
recognition for their sacrifices; and

  WHEREAS, The oldest VFW post in Broome County, New York, the Richard
J.  Hoyt VFW was formed in 1920 by a group of veterans who had served in
various conflicts, including the Spanish American  War,  the  Philippine
Insurrection, and the First World War; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Post is named for Private Richard J. Hoyt, Company H,
107th Infantry, 27th Division, United States Army, who gave his life  in
the  battle that broke the infamous "Hindenberg Line" and was one of the
first World War I casualties from the Binghamton, New York area; and

  WHEREAS, In its early years, members of Richard J. Hoyt VFW Post No.
478 met at the Old State Armory  in  Binghamton  before  purchasing  the
Windemere  Hotel  in 1924, the Post returned to the Armory, and in 1936,
the members purchased  a  home  on  Carroll  Street  in  Binghamton  and
repurposed it as a building for the Post; and

  WHEREAS, Over the years, a two-story structure was built at the rear
of  the  Carroll Street property that contained a hall, and the original
home was demolished to create a parking lot; on January  23,  2016,  the
Carroll  Street  building  suffered a fire and the Post members made the
decision to relocate to the present site on Court Street which opened in
mid-December of that year; and

  WHEREAS, Today, Richard J. Hoyt VFW Post  No.  478  has  211  active
members, all of whom are dedicated to the VFW's mission to serve members
of the United States Armed Forces, veterans, and their families; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the custom of this Legislative Body to commend the
devoted leadership of the Post's outstanding  Commanders,  both  present

and  past, and the absolute commitment of its many proud members, noting
the role played by this exceptional  organization  and  recognizing  the
significance  of  the  contributions and sacrifices of the membership of
the  Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 478 of Binghamton, New York; now,
therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
commemorate  the  100th  Anniversary  of the Richard J. Hoyt Veterans of
Foreign Wars Post No. 478 of Binghamton, New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of  this  Resolution  be  transmitted  to  the
Richard J. Hoyt Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 478 of Binghamton, New
York.