LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Firefighter Leo R. Chevalier upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition after 70 years of
dedicated service to the Halfmoon-Waterford Fire District No. 1

WHEREAS, The firefighters of New York State are renowned throughout the
Nation; their reputation is synonymous with excellence in the arduous
field of fire protection and prevention; and
WHEREAS, Since the early days of "teapot steamers," the volunteer
firefighter has been the cornerstone of our great Nation's efforts to
spare us from the ravages of fire; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commend Firefighter Leo R.
Chevalier upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 70 years of dedicated service to the Halfmoon-Waterford Fire
District No. 1; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Leo R. Chevalier will be honored by the Half-
moon-Waterford Fire District No. 1 in conjunction with the Halfmoon Fire
Company at its 84th Annual Inspection Dinner to be held at the Mohawk
River Country Club, Rexford, New York, on Saturday, February 7, 2009;
and
WHEREAS, Born on July 20, 1920, in Cohoes, New York, Leo R. Chevalier
attended Cohoes Catholic Schools and the University of Oklahoma; and
WHEREAS, Leo R. Chevalier served in the United States Army during
World War II as a medic in the Pacific Theater; after an honorable
discharge, he made his return to Halfmoon, New York, where, in 1955, he
built his home with the help of his brother, Joe; he worked in the rail
yard at American Locomotive and then for the United States Postal
Service from which he retired after 27 years of dedicated service; and
WHEREAS, On November 21, 1951, Leo married his wife, Helen; together
they shared 57 years of marriage, until her passing in August of 2008;
throughout their marriage, they enjoyed traveling and spending time with
their family; and
WHEREAS, Leo R. Chevalier joined the Halfmoon Fire Department at the
age of 16 when it was still the C.S. Hawley Chemical Company; during his
70 years of service, he sat on the Board of Fire Commissioners for 12
years, and many various committees over the years; in 1988, he was
honored as Man of the Year for his service and dedication to the Fire
Company; today, he is a Life Member of the Halfmoon Fire Company; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Leo R. Chevalier has been honored by the Sarato-
ga County Board of Supervisors and the Town of Halfmoon for his contin-
ued dedication and service throughout his life; he has acted as Histori-
an to the Town of Halfmoon by providing pictures and details about its
history; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, Leo R. Chevalier was honored by the Hudson Mohawk
Fireman's Association for 69 years of service to the Fire Department;
and
WHEREAS, Leo R. Chevalier has been an active member of American Legion
Post 1450, serving on the honor guard and in various capacities on
numerous committees; and
WHEREAS, Currently, Leo R. Chevalier is a member of the Halfmoon
Senior Citizens and has enjoyed sharing pictures and details about the
Town of Halfmoon with his friends at the center; and
WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters and fire departments not only provide
the critical service of fire protection but also engage in other activ-
ities of great benefit and importance to the communities they serve; and
WHEREAS, It takes a special dedication, a strong desire to help others
and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time with family
and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need; Leo R.

Chevalier is such a firefighter; throughout 70 years of devoted service,
this volunteer heroically performed, above and beyond the call of duty,
those responsibilities which define the task of fire protection; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Firefighter Leo R. Chevalier for 70 years of distinguished
service; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Firefighter Leo R. Chevalier.