LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Lieutenant Michael Dembeck for his
continued service and becoming Company Commander in the United States
Army

WHEREAS, The courage and bravery of our military personnel since the
United States Armed Forces commenced Operation Iraqi Freedom will ensure
our continued role as a Nation which embodies the ideals of democracy,
and as a defender of liberty for people throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York who
have served so valiantly and honorably during Operation Iraqi Freedom
deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Lieutenant
Michael Dembeck for his continued service and becoming Company Commander
in the United States Army; and
WHEREAS, A 2001 graduate of Warwick High School and a 2005 graduate of
the Corps of Cadets at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, Lieutenant
Michael Dembeck assumed the position of Company Commander at a ceremony
on Thursday, February 12, 2009, at Fort Hood Texas; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Michael Dembeck returned home from a 15-month tour
of duty in Iraq in November of 2008, and will re-deploy to Baghdad in
July of 2009; during his tour in Iraq, he was awarded the Bronze Star;
and
WHEREAS, The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces indi-
vidual military decoration which may be awarded for bravery, acts of
merit, or meritorious service; when awarded for bravery, it is the
fourth-highest combat award of the United States Armed Forces and the
ninth-highest military award in the order of precedence of U.S. military
decorations; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Michael Dembeck successfully led more than 40
combat logistics patrols as Convoy Commander and was personally involved
with more than 100 combat logistics patrols, logging more than 20,000
miles; he was responsible for the safe delivery of more than seven
million gallons of Class III and 100,000 tons of supplies; and
WHEREAS, While conducting these missions, Lieutenant Michael Dembeck
continued to set the example for his soldiers by displaying superior
knowledge in all tasks involved in conducting combat logistics patrols
which resulted in a 100 percent success rate in all missions he oversaw;
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, The freedoms and security we cherish as Americans come at a
very high price for those serving in the military in times of conflict;
it is fitting and proper that we who are the beneficiaries of those who
risk their lives, leaving their families behind, express our appreci-
ation and eternal gratitude for their sacrifices and courageous acts;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Lieutenant Michael Dembeck for his continued service and becoming
Company Commander in the United States Army; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Lieutenant Michael Dembeck.