LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Warwick, New York, resident Staff
Sergeant Walter Kittle for his valiant military service during Operation
Iraqi Freedom and his lifetime accomplishments

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 Iraqi Freedom,
deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Warwick, New
York, resident Staff Sergeant Walter Kittle for his valiant military
service during Operation Iraqi Freedom and his lifetime accomplishments;
and
WHEREAS, A native of Mamaroneck, New York, Staff Sergeant Walter
Kittle is a New York State Air National Guard heavy equipment operator
deployed to the 447th Air Expeditionary Group at Sather Air Base, just
west of Baghdad International Airport; and
WHEREAS, In addition to being an Air Force heavy equipment operator,
Staff Sergeant Kittle is also one of New York's finest; at age 17, he
joined the United States Navy and spent four years serving aboard the
U.S.S. Iowa, after completing his enlistment, he moved to Brooklyn, but
stayed in the Navy Reserve; soon afterwards, he took an entrance exam
and found himself at the Manhattan police academy, where six months
later he became a New York City Police Officer; and
WHEREAS, One day while on patrol in New York City, Staff Sergeant
Kittle spoke with an Army Guard recruiter, and made the decision to
switch over from the Navy; he entered enlisted, but applied for Officer
Candidate's School, where he received a commission in the Guard and
served as a commander for an M-1 Abrams tank unit; and
WHEREAS, After spending a few years as a uniformed patrol officer,
where primarily his job was to respond to 911 emergency calls, Staff
Sergeant Kittle then served as an instructor with the police academy
from 1992 through 1996, and soon returned to being a full-time police
officer working undercover for the Narcotics Division; and
WHEREAS, Later, Staff Sergeant Kittle joined the Air National Guard;
while serving with the NYPD, he proved to be very instrumental during
the 911 Terrorist attacks; and
WHEREAS, In 2004, Staff Sergeant Kittle left the narcotics unit to
work as a precinct detective, where he investigated a full spectrum of
crime; he retired from the NYPD on April 30, 2005; and
WHEREAS, In addition to serving in the 105th Civil Engineering Squa-
dron, in Newburgh, New York, Staff Sergeant Kittle is also a civil
service employee at West Point Military Academy, where he works as a
heavy equipment operator; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, he served on his first deployment to a base in
Southwest Asia in support of the Global War on terrorism, followed by a
deployment to Iraq in 2007; now in Iraq for his second tour, he believes
strongly in the importance of nation building and bringing freedom and
security to the country; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Jean, their children,
Christopher and Tracy, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his
life and rejoice in his achievements; 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
commend Warwick, New York, resident Staff Sergeant Walter Kittle for his
valiant military service during Operation Iraqi Freedom and his lifetime
accomplishments; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Staff Sergeant Walter Kittle.