LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Stewart H. DeWitt upon the occasion of
his retirement after 35 years of dedicated service as Commissioner of
the Woodstock Fire District

WHEREAS, Esteemed individuals who distinguish themselves faithfully in
service to their community cannot be sufficiently extolled for their
contributions; firefighters and fire departments of the State of New
York are renowned throughout the Nation; their reputation is synonymous
with excellence in the arduous field of fire protection and prevention;
and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Stewart H.
DeWitt upon the occasion of his retirement after 35 years of dedicated
service as Commissioner of the Woodstock Fire District, this auspicious
occasion was celebrated at a Retirement Luncheon on Sunday, December 5,
2010; and
WHEREAS, Stewart H. DeWitt, a life-long resident of the Town of Wood-
stock, New York, is among these devoted volunteers who have given of
their time and energies to protect the community from the dangers of
fire; he has served as an active member of the Woodstock Fire District
for 40 years; having joined the department in Zena in 1962, including 20
years as Chairman of the Board; and
WHEREAS, Stewart H. DeWitt will continue to serve as an active fireman
for the fire district following his retirement as Commissioner; his
father was one of the founding members of the fire department and was
instrumental in the construction of the Zena firehouse; and
WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and
indebted to our valiant firefighters who exhibit courage and bravery
every day in the course of their duties; and
WHEREAS, Firefighters exemplify the power of human compassion and the
strength of the American spirit through actions of the most heroic
magnitude; their sacrifices and their selfless dedication merit tribute
and recognition by all citizens of this great country; 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; Stewart
H. DeWitt is such a firefighter; throughout 40 years of devoted volun-
teer service, he has heroically performed, above and beyond the call of
duty, those responsibilities which define the task of fire protection;
and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Doris DeWitt, and
their three sons, who feel privileged to be a part of his life and
rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Stewart H. DeWitt has exhibited tireless dedication to
protecting the Woodstock community from the dangers of fire, as Commis-
sioner for the past 35 years, and as a volunteer firefighter with the
Woodstock Fire District for 40 years; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Stewart H. DeWitt upon the occasion of his retirement after 35
years of dedicated service as Commissioner of the Woodstock Fire
District; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Stewart H. DeWitt, 15 Dewitt Lane, Woodstock, New York 12498.