LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the untimely death of Sergeant Jason
Anthony Santora of Farmingdale, New York, 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 Enduring 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 Jason Anthony Santora of
Farmingdale, New York, and pays tribute to his courageous actions as a
member of the United States Army; and
WHEREAS, A team leader assigned to the 3rd battalion, 75th Ranger
Regiment, United States Army, Sergeant Jason Anthony Santora, age 25,
died on April 23, 2010, during United States Armed Forces combat oper-
ations in Afghanistan; he had been deployed several times to Iraq and
Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, Born on March 11, 1985, in Bethpage, New York, Sergeant Jason
Anthony Santora was a 2003 graduate of Sachem North High School where he
achieved academic success and enjoyed playing football and soccer; he
enlisted in the United States Army in March 2006 and completed Infantry
One Station Training, the Basic Airborne Course and the Ranger Indoctri-
nation Program at Fort Benning, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Jason Anthony Santora's awards and decorations
include the Ranger Tab, Combat Infantry's Badge, and Parachutist Badge;
in addition, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with one Oak
Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army
Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign
Medal with one combat star, Iraq Campaign Medal with two combat stars,
Global War on Terrorism Medal and the Army Service Ribbon; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Jason Anthony Santora has also been posthumously
awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal;
and
WHEREAS, As a Ranger, Sergeant Jason Anthony Santora selflessly lived
his life for others and distinguished himself as a member of the Army's
premier light-infantry unit, continuously deployed in support of the
Global War on Terror; he fought valiantly as he served his fellow
Rangers and our great Nation; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Jason Anthony Santora is survived by his father,
Gary Santora of Medford, New York, his mother, Theresa Santora of Massa-
pequa, New York, and by his sister, Gina Santora of Medford, New York,
and uncle, Ralph Fico of Massapequa Park, New York; 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 Jason Anthony Santora of Farming-
dale, New York, and 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 Sergeant Jason Anthony Santora.