Senate Resolution No. 2231

BY: Senator GRIFFO

        COMMENDING      Lance  Corporal  Daniel  J.  Geary
        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 Lance
Corporal  Daniel  J.  Geary  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, 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  and  raised in Rome, New York, Daniel J. Geary was a
graduate of Rome Free Academy, Class of 2006; while in high  school,  he
was a member of the AFJROTC program and proudly joined the United States
Marine Corp. in the same year of his graduation; and

  WHEREAS,  He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd
Marine Division II, Marine  Expeditionary  Force,  Camp  Lejeune,  North
Carolina; and

  WHEREAS,  Lance Corporal Daniel J. Geary gave the ultimate sacrifice
on March 20, 2009, fighting for  his  country  while  supporting  combat
operations in Kandahar, Afghanistan; he was 22 years old; and

  WHEREAS,  His  tour of duty was to end in May of 2009, and his plans
included coming home and marrying the love of his  life,  fiance  Rachel
Paterson, who resided in North Carolina; and

  WHEREAS,  Lance  Corporal  Daniel J. Geary loved to have fun and was
known as a prankster; he also loved to laugh, and spending time with his
family was something very important to him; he was the proud brother  of
six  siblings,  all  of  whom  cherished  their  time  together and most
weekends, could be found at the King Pin Bowling Alley in Rome  enjoying
quality family time; and

  WHEREAS,  Lance Corporal Daniel J. Geary is survived by his parents,
Michael and Agnes Geary; his four sisters, Sherry Connelly, Naomi Geary,
Elise Geary and Amber Geary; two brothers, Michael Geary Jr. and  Dillan
Geary;  his  grandmother, Gloria Geary; and his fiance, Rachel Paterson;
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,
Lance Corporal Daniel J. Geary 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 Lance Corporal Daniel J. Geary 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 Lance Corporal Daniel J. Geary.