LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Staff Sergeant Geralyn J. Schoenle upon
the occasion of her designation for special recognition as the Air
National Guard Airman of the Year

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors and
community service are an example and inspiration to their colleagues,
friends, and family; and
WHEREAS, Members and former members of the Armed Services from the
State of New York, who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in
which this country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preserva-
tion of peace in peace-time, deserve a special salute from this Legisla-
tive Body; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Staff Sergeant Geralyn J. Schoenle upon the occasion of her designation
for special recognition as the Air National Guard Airman of the Year;
and
WHEREAS, On Sunday, March 14, 2010, more than 550 members of the New
York Air National Guard were honored at the "Hometown Heroes Salute" at
the Niagara Falls, New York, Air Reserve Station, home of the 107th
Airlift Wing; this auspicious occasion recognized the sacrifices that
the men and women of the National Guard and their families have made to
serve their country; and
WHEREAS, The Hometown Heroes Salute ceremony was Phase 1 of a three-
part series; this phase specifically honored those who served from 30 to
179 consecutive days during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring
Freedom (Afghanistan) or Operation Noble Eagle (flying security over
major U.S. cities after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001); and
WHEREAS, The biggest star of the ceremony was 21-year-old Western New
Yorker, Staff Sergeant Geralyn J. Schoenle, a 2006 graduate of Medina
High School, who was named New York State Air National Guard Airman of
the Year, the 107th Airlift Wing Airman of the Year and the Air Mobility
Command ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) Component
Airman of the Year; in doing so she became a triple military star; and
WHEREAS, In further recognition of her service, Staff Sergeant
Schoenle was promoted to her present rank; her military occupational
specialty is in intelligence where she served for six months in that
capacity in Iraq until returning home in January; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Geralyn J. Schoenle has orders for a six-month
deployment to Mississippi, where she will help train the next generation
of intelligence specialists to be sent to Afghanistan or other hot spots
around the world where the 107th Airlift Wing may be sent; and
WHEREAS, Between deployments, Staff Sergeant Schoenle lives in
Buffalo, New York, where she is studying human development at Empire
State College; with two years left in her six-year enlistment in the Air
National Guard, she aims for an eventual Master's degree in her field;
and
WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended and
thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and for
their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Staff Sergeant Geralyn J. Schoenle upon the occasion of her desig-
nation for special recognition as the Air National Guard Airman of the
Year; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Staff Sergeant Geralyn J. Schoenle.