LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Junior Past County Sons of the American
Legion Commander John Norton upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition by the Kings County American Legion Family, Depart-
ment of New York

WHEREAS, The American Legion is a veterans' service organization which
draws its membership from the men and women who have served in the Armed
Forces of the United States during a period of Congressionally recog-
nized war or armed conflict; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Junior Past
County Sons of the American Legion Commander John Norton upon the occa-
sion of his designation for special recognition by the Kings County
American Legion Family, Department of New York, at a Testimonial Dinner
to be held at El Caribe Country Club Caterers in Brooklyn on Friday,
April 29, 2011; and
WHEREAS, The American Legion was founded by members of the American
Expeditionary Forces (AEF) who convened at Paris, France, on March
15-19, 1919; the following May, soldiers, sailors and marines represent-
ing every state met in St. Louis to ratify the action of the AEF,
already endorsed by the highest military authorities, and launch the
American Legion as a national organization of American veterans; and
WHEREAS, One of the fundamental aims of the American Legion was to
create a fraternity based upon firm comradeship, born of war service,
and dedicated to equitable treatment for all veterans, particularly the
suffering and disabled, their widows and children; and
WHEREAS, John Norton has distinguished himself as a member of the Sons
of the American Legion, in his career, and in service to the Kings Coun-
ty American Legion Family and his community; and
WHEREAS, John Norton was born in Manhattan in 1943 while his father,
Army Master Sergeant Frank Norton, was serving his country during World
War II; when John was 11 years old he moved to Brooklyn where he contin-
ues to reside; and
WHEREAS, John Norton was the Squadron Commander of the Sons of the
American Legion (SAL) at American Legion Floyd Bennett Post 1060 from
2005 to 2007; among this pet projects while he was Squadron Commander
were feeding needy families during Thanksgiving and Christmas and giving
Christmas toys to hospitalized children as well as to Toys for Tots; and
WHEREAS, John Norton has the unique distinction of being the first
Kings County Commander of the Sons of the American Legion, a post in
which he served from 2008 to 2010, during which time he coordinated
successful coat drives and volunteered to assist the Ladies Auxiliary at
the Christmas Gift Shop at the VA hospital; and
WHEREAS, John Norton is currently a member of the Executive Board of
the Sons of the American Legion at Floyd Bennett Post 1060; and
WHEREAS, John Norton has helped make the Kings County American Legion
Family an organization recognized with pride throughout Kings County;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Junior Past County Sons of the American Legion Commander John
Norton upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by
the Kings County American Legion Family, Department of New York, on
April 29, 2011; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to John Norton.