LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the untimely death of Sergeant First
Class Robert A. Cheever, 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 Sergeant First Class Robert A. Cheev-
er, and pays tribute to his courageous actions as a member of the United
States Army; and
WHEREAS, Born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and formerly of Mankato
and Cleveland, Minnesota, Sergeant First Class Robert A. Cheever, a 10th
Mountain Division soldier from Fort Drum, died of pancreatic cancer at
the age of 37 at the Waseca Medical Center in Minnesota on February 21,
2010; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant First Class Robert A. Cheever graduated from Mankato
East High School in 1991; he joined the Army shortly thereafter and made
it his career, a career of great distinction; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant First Class Robert A. Cheever served in the Artil-
lery his entire career, as a paratrooper, recruiter, and gun crewmember;
he served two tours of duty in Korea and three deployments in Afghanis-
tan; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant First Class Robert A. Cheever's duty assignments
included gun crew Chief, Platoon Sergeant, and First Sergeant of the
Rear Detachment Company C; his last assignment was with the 4-25 Field
Artillery of the 10th Mountain Division, which returned from Afghanistan
on December 30, 2009; and
WHEREAS, In addition to many commendations from his superiors,
Sergeant First Class Robert A. Cheever was inducted into the Sergeant
Audie Murphy Club, an honor society for outstanding Noncommissioned
Officers, and the Order of Saint Barbara, a military honor society and
award recognizing artillerymen for their exceptional character, compe-
tence and service; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant First Class Robert A. Cheever's awards and deco-
rations include the Bronze Star Medal awarded for his service to his
country during his Afghanistan tour of 2008, the Meritorious Service
Medal, Army Commendation Medal 4th Award, Army Achievement Medal 4th
award, Army Good Conduct Medal 6th award, National Defense Service Medal
with Bronze Star device, Korea Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan
Campaign Medal with Bronze Star device, Global War on Terrorism Expedi-
tionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned
Officer Professional Development Ribbon 2nd Award, Army Service Ribbon,
Overseas Service Ribbon 3rd award, NATO Medal, Meritorious Unit Commen-
dation, U.S. Army Recruiter Identification Badge with 2 Gold Achievement
Stars, Combat Action Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge, Driver Mechanic
Badge, and the Expert Weapons Qualification Badge with Field Artillery
and Rifle Devices; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant First Class Robert A. Cheever is survived by his
wife, Jill Cheever; his daughter, Madison Cheever; his son, Jacob Cheev-
er; his father, Walter Cheever; and his mother, Cheryl Norine; 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 Sergeant First Class Robert A. Cheever, and
to pay tribute to his courageous actions as a member of the United
States Army; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Sergeant First Class Robert A. Cheever.