LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending James Salerno upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Jubilee of Liberty Medal for bravery

WHEREAS, 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 preservation of peace in peace-
time, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commend those
who have served in times of active conflict, as well as those who have
served in times of peace; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend James Saler-
no upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Jubilee of
Liberty Medal for bravery, presented to him on Thursday, March 24, 2011;
and
WHEREAS, The Jubilee of Liberty Medal for bravery was an honor the
91-year-old James Salerno had earned but never received; the French
government awarded the medal to servicemen and veterans who participated
in the D-Day invasion; he was also the recipient of a "Thank-You-America
Certificate 1944-1945," by the French government; and
WHEREAS, James Salerno enlisted in the Army in 1941, when he was 21
years old and served for four years until he was honorably discharged as
a Staff Sergeant; and
WHEREAS, As a young U.S. Army engineer with the 1340th Battalion,
James Salerno cleared land mines to make a path for the 1944 D-Day inva-
sion of Normandy; he was also one of 250 soldiers who were sent to scale
a cliff to remove enemy gun installations; and
WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with which men and women such as James Salerno served their country, and
must recognize that no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who
risked their lives for their beloved Nation; 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; and
WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
James Salerno demonstrated his love for his country and merits forever-
more, the highest respect of his State and Nation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend James Salerno upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the Jubilee of Liberty Medal for bravery; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to James Salerno.