LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the untimely death of Staff Sergeant
Dennis Hansen, and paying tribute to his courageous actions as a member
of 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 Enduring Free-
dom, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, It is with feelings of deepest regret that this Legislative
Body mourns the untimely death of Staff Sergeant Dennis Hansen, and pays
tribute to his courageous actions as a member of the United States Army;
and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Dennis Hansen of Panama City, Florida, died on
December 5, 2009, at the age of 31, of wounds sustained when his unit
was attacked two days earlier in Logar province, Afghanistan; he
deployed in January in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; and
WHEREAS, An infantryman in the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment,
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort
Drum, New York, Staff Sergeant Dennis Hansen's previous deployments
include 16 months in Afghanistan from February 2006 to June 2007, and
four months in Iraq from March to July 2004; and
WHEREAS, He joined the Marines in October 1996 and served until 2005
as a Rifleman and later a Recruiter; he then arrived in Fort Drum, New
York, in July 2005; and
WHEREAS, This outstanding soldier's awards and decorations include the
Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement
Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal,
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal-2, National Defense Service Medal,
Afghanistan Campaign Medal-2, Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Service
Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror-
ism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development
Ribbon-2, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon-2, Navy Sea
Service Deployment Ribbon, the NATO Medal-2, Driver and Mechanic Badge
with Wheeled and Track Devices, and Combat Infantryman Badge; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Dennis Hansen is survived by his wife, Jenni-
fer Hansen; a daughter, Alana; two sons, Gabriel and Michael; and his
parents, Dwight and Jennifer R. Hansen; and
WHEREAS, The banner of freedom will always wave over our beloved New
York and all of America, the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave;
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
mourn the untimely death of Staff Sergeant Dennis Hansen, and to pay

tribute to his courageous actions as a member of the United States Army;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Staff Sergeant Dennis Hansen.