Senate Resolution No. 2261

BY: Senator JORDAN

COMMENDING Henry E. Leavitt 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 Henry E.
Leavitt 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 presented at the Rensselaer County Honor a
Deceased Veteran Ceremony on Monday, April 11, 2022; 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, Henry "Pat" E. Leavitt was born on March 30, 1921, to Lily
(Hemsley) and Henry Leavitt in Montpelier, Vermont; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from Phillip Schuyler High School, Henry
E. Leavitt studied civil engineering at Carnegie Tech in Pennsylvania,
followed by industrial arts at the Stout Institute in Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS, Henry E. Leavitt enlisted in the United States Army on
November 11, 1942, and proudly served his country as a rigger and
draftsman in the 20th Armored Division, 8th Army B Company, 220th
Engineer Brigade during World War II; and

WHEREAS, While on leave, Henry E. Leavitt married the love of his
life the former Irma Kemmy on January 16, 1943; and

WHEREAS, At the end of the war, Henry E. Leavitt and his fellow
soldiers were one of the divisions to help liberate Dachau Concentration
Camp; and

WHEREAS, For his courageous service during World War II, Henry E.
Leavitt was awarded the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal,
Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, and Victory Medal; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service on November 24,
1945, Henry E. Leavitt returned to the Capital Region and began his long
career as a lineman, installer and test board technician for New York
Telephone, later Verizon; an animal lover, he also operated a dairy
farm; and

WHEREAS, Henry E. Leavitt and his wife happily raised four children,
Judy, John, Sally and Sue; later, they were the loving grandparents of

seven grandchildren, Damien, April, Matt, Patrick, Joe, Heather, and
Brooke, and nine great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, When he was not spending time with his beloved family,
Henry E. Leavitt enjoyed working on the farm, and was an avid gardener,
often sharing the fruits of his labors with family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Henry E. Leavitt died on November 25, 2018, at the age of
97; he was buried next to his wife in the Saratoga National Cemetery;
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,
Henry E. Leavitt 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 Henry E. Leavitt 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 Henry E. Leavitt.