LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Troy Fire Department Firefighter Charles
Henry Vandecar posthumously upon the occasion of the inscription of his
name onto the New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize and
honor the courage and bravery of those firefighters who have lost their
lives in service to the citizens of their communities; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Albany,
New York is dedicated to the New York firefighters who have died in the
line of duty and will remain forever a tribute to the valor and courage
that exemplifies the finest of New York's bravest; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Firefighter Charles Henry Vandecar upon the occasion of the inscription
of his name onto the New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial at its
14th Annual Name Dedication Ceremony in Albany, New York on October 11,
2011; and
WHEREAS, Born on July 13, 1896, Charles Henry Vandecar was the son of
Abraham and Mary Rafter Vandecar, and a lifelong resident of Troy, New
York; and
WHEREAS, Charles Henry Vandecar was married to Viola Amond on April
17, 1922; their only son, John, was born on February 21, 1923; and
WHEREAS, Prior to his service as a firefighter, Charles Henry Vandecar
served with Company C of the Second New York Infantry on the Mexican
border, and was deployed overseas during World War I; and
WHEREAS, A professional firefighter with the Troy Fire Department,
Charles Henry Vandecar served as Driver of Pumper 11 at the Read Fire-
house since October of 1921; and
WHEREAS, On May 1, 1922, Firefighter Charles Henry Vandecar was
injured while fighting a fire at the Rome and Cohen Rag Shop in Troy
when a floor collapsed; Lieutenant William J. Christopher and Firefight-
er Joseph P. McCann died in the same incident; and
WHEREAS, Nearly four months later, on August 30, 1922, Charles Henry
Vandecar died as a result of injuries sustained in the Rag Shop fire six
months before the birth of his only son; and
WHEREAS, Residents of this great Empire State must never forget the
heroic and courageous acts of firefighters to protect citizens and their
property, and must recognize and honor the sacrifice of their lives as
they fulfilled their duties; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly honor
firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the sacrifice made by Firefighter Charles Henry Vandecar upon the
occasion of the inscription of his name onto the New York State Fallen
Firefighters Memorial; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Firefighter Charles Henry Vandecar.