Bill Text: NY J00012 | 2025-2026 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commending Merrill S. Patrick 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) 2025-01-14 - ADOPTED [J00012 Detail]

Download: New_York-2025-J00012-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 12

BY: Senator TEDISCO

        COMMENDING  Merrill  S.  Patrick 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 esteemed Body; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Merrill S.
Patrick  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

  WHEREAS, A resident of Saratoga, Merrill S. Patrick will be  honored
during  the  monthly  Honor  Deceased  Veterans  Ceremony,  held  at the
Saratoga County Municipal Center in Ballston Spa, New York, on  Tuesday,
November 19, 2024; 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, Merrill S. Patrick was born to Claude and Carrie Merrill in
West  Rupert,  Vermont,  on  June  18,  1917;  he  attended  schools  in
Schuylerville, New York; and

  WHEREAS,  On  October 4,1934, Merrill S. Patrick, only 17 years old,
entered the  Civilian  Conservation  Corps,  a  government  work  relief
program  to help the United States recover from the Great Depression; on
May 15, 1937, he was discharged; and

  WHEREAS, On April 9, 1941, Merrill S. Patrick enlisted in the United
States Army,  serving  with  Company  G,  28th  Infantry  Regiment,  8th
Infantry Division, during World War II; and

  WHEREAS,  Merrill  S. Patrick landed on Utah Beach in France on July
4,1944, and was wounded only eight days later in Normandy,  earning  the
Purple  Heart;  after  his  hospitalization,  he  was transferred to the
United States where he recovered until he  was  discharged,  as  Private
First Class, on May 12, 1945; and

  WHEREAS,  For his courageous service, Merrill S. Patrick was awarded
not only  the  Purple  Heart  but  also  the  Good  Conduct  Medal,  the
European-African-Middle  Eastern  Campaign  Medal,  the  Bronze Campaign
Star, and the Combat Infantryman Badge; and

  WHEREAS, Merrill S. Patrick married the love of  his  life,  Marvil,
and the couple were blessed with two sons and two daughters; and

  WHEREAS,  For  35  years,  Merrill  S.  Patrick  worked  as a Beater
Operator at the United Board and Carton Corporation  in  Thompson  after
which  he  was  employed  at Schuylerville Central Schools for 10 years,
retiring in 1978; and

  WHEREAS, Active in his community, Merrill S. Patrick was a member of
the American Legion Old Saratoga Post No. 278, a member of the Committee
of  the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of America, and a coach for the Little
League program in Schuylerville for many years; and

  WHEREAS, Merrill S. Patrick died on November 4, 1990, at the age  of
73;  he  is  missed by all who count themselves fortunate to have shared
their lives with him; 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 to those who gave their lives for
their  beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing in action;
and

  WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at  home  and  abroad,
Merrill  S.  Patrick  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  Merrill  S.  Patrick  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 Merrill S. Patrick.