LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the untimely death of Benjamin D. Osborn
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 Benjamin D. Osborn, and pays tribute
to his courageous actions as a member of the United States Army; and
WHEREAS, A member of the United States Army's 101st Airborne based out
of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Benjamin Osborn died at the age of 27 in
combat in Afghanistan on Tuesday, June 15, 2010; and
WHEREAS, A Lake George native and a 2002 graduate of Lake George High
School, Benjamin Osborn played on the football team, and after graduat-
ing, he attended Adirondack Community College and worked during two
summers beginning in 2005 as a bartender at the Lobster Pot restaurant;
just four years after graduating from high school, he left the North
Country for the military; and
WHEREAS, Before Benjamin Osborn joined the service, he spent time in
North Carolina and worked for the Adirondack Resource Management Compa-
ny; married at Six Flags Great Escape Lodge in February of 2010, he went
on a tour in Afghanistan in April; he also had been living in Clarks-
ville, Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, News of Benjamin Osborn's death soon spread throughout his
close-knit community and the flags at the elementary and high schools
were lowered to half-staff in his honor; and
WHEREAS, A true hero and one who possessed a wonderful sense of humor,
Benjamin Osborn is survived by his newlywed wife, Nicole, his parents,
William and Beverly, his sister, and three brothers; 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 Benjamin D. Osborn and 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 Benjamin D. Osborn.