Bill Text: NY J00507 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commending Walter Harry Bethel posthumously upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by Rensselaer County

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-02-27 - ADOPTED [J00507 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J00507-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 507

BY: Senator BRESLIN

        COMMENDING  Walter  Harry Bethel posthumously upon
        the  occasion  of  his   designation   for   special
        recognition  by  Rensselaer  County  at  its Honor a
        Deceased Veteran Ceremony on April 8, 2019

  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; and

  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative  Body  is justly proud to commend Walter
Harry Bethel posthumously upon  the  occasion  of  his  designation  for
special recognition by Rensselaer County at its Honor a Deceased Veteran
Ceremony to be celebrated on Monday, April 8, 2019; and

  WHEREAS,  Walter  Harry  Bethel  was  born  on November 12, 1924, in
Milford, Massachusetts, the son of Walter  Daniel  Bethel  and  Natalina
"Tillie" Donini Bethel; growing up in Cohoes and Lansingburgh, New York,
he  attended  Cohoes  High  School and worked for a short time running a
folding machine at Field and Hatch Knitting Company; and

  WHEREAS, On December 11, 1941, Walter Harry Bethel enlisted  in  the
United  States Navy and proudly served his country as a Seaman 2nd Class
on the USS Ingraham (DD-444); and

  WHEREAS, For his courageous service  during  World  War  II,  Walter
Harry    Bethel    was    awarded    the    American   Campaign   Medal,
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and the Purple Heart; and

  WHEREAS, On the night of August 22, 1942, the USS Ingraham  collided
with  the USS Chemung (AO-30) in heavy fog off the coast of Nova Scotia;
the USS Ingraham sank almost immediately, and depth charges on her stern
exploded; and

  WHEREAS, Walter Harry  Bethel  was  officially  declared  Killed  in
Action (KIA) on August 23, 1943, at the age of 17; and

  WHEREAS, A headstone has been placed in Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga
National Cemetery in memory of Walter Harry Bethel; 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 his patriotism both at  home  and  abroad,
Walter  Harry  Bethel  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 Walter Harry  Bethel  posthumously  upon  the  occasion  of  his
designation  for special recognition by Rensselaer County at its Honor a
Deceased Veteran Ceremony on April 8, 2019; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to the family of Walter Harry Bethel.