Bill Text: NY J02735 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: Commending Private Leonard Cesternino 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 (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2024-10-28 - REFERRED TO FINANCE [J02735 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J02735-Introduced.html

Senate Resolution No. 2735

BY: Senator HINCHEY

        COMMENDING Private Leonard Cesternino 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 Private
Leonard Cesternino 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  at  the
Columbia  County  Honor a Veteran Ceremony on Monday, November 25, 2024,
at the Columbia County office building in Hudson, New York; 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,  Leonard  Cesternino  was  born  on  November  18, 1923, to
Anthony and Jenny (Giavonni Giffo) Cesternino in Hudson, New York; and

  WHEREAS, Growing up in Hudson, Leonard  Cesternino  attended  Hudson
High  School  where he played basketball and softball and was recognized
as a fine athlete; after  graduating  in  1941,  he  worked  for  Mohawk
Novelty Plant in Hudson; and

  WHEREAS,  Leonard  Cesternino  proudly enlisted in the United States
Army on February 12, 1943; and

  WHEREAS,  After  completing  basic  training,   Leonard   Cesternino
received  additional  training  as  an artilleryman at Fort Bragg, North
Carolina; he was assigned to A battery, 125th Field Artillery Battalion,
34th Infantry Division in the European  Theater  of  Operation  and  was
involved in continual action in North Africa and Italy; and

  WHEREAS,  The  125th  Field Artillery Battalion distinguished itself
during World War II, firing over 250,000 rounds of artillery  ammunition
in 480 days of combat which was more than any other battalion; and

  WHEREAS, On November 29, 1943, while engaged with the enemy north of
the  Volturno  River near Scapoli, Italy, Private Leonard Cesternino was
one of two killed along with 19 others who were wounded as a result of a
heavy concentration of enemy artillery fire which disabled two guns  and
started the ammunition pits on fire; and

  WHEREAS,  Private  Leonard Cesternino's remains were interred in the
Allied Cemetery in Carano, Italy, before being reinterred in Cedar  Park
Cemetery in Hudson, New York, with full military honors two years later;
and


  WHEREAS,  In  recognition  of  his  valiant service, Private Leonard
Cesternino was awarded the Purple Heart, WWII Vicory Medal, EAME  Medal,
the  Good  Conduct  Medal;  he  left  behind  his  mother, father and 10
brothers and sisters; he was 20 years old; 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

  WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at  home  and  abroad,
Private  Leonard  Cesternino  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 Private Leonard Cesternino 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 Private Leonard Cesternino.
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