LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring 1st Lieutenant David Provencher upon the
occasion of his designation as a recipient of a Silver Star from the
United States Army

WHEREAS, The courage and bravery of our military personnel will ensure
our continued role as a Nation which embodies the ideals of democracy,
and as a defender of liberty for people throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who
have so valiantly served this Nation and State, deserve a special salute
from this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor 1st
Lieutenant David Provencher upon the occasion of his designation as a
recipient of a Silver Star from the United States Army at a ceremony
held on January 26, 2011, at Forward Operating Base Kunduz, in northern
Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, First Lieutenant David Provencher has displayed great honor,
unwavering courage, and exemplary valor and consequently has been desig-
nated as a recipient of one of the military's most highest honors; and
WHEREAS, United States Army 1st Lieutenant David Provencher of the
10th Mountain Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team received the Silver
Star medal, the nation's third highest award for valor in combat; and
WHEREAS, First Lieutenant David Provencher, from Ellenville, New York,
and an infantry platoon leader with the 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry
Regiment, is credited with saving the lives of three wounded soldiers
and refusing to leave two others that were mortally wounded; and
WHEREAS, A 1999 graduate of Ellenville High School, 1st Lieutenant
David Provencher's platoon was serving as the quick reaction force for a
joint United States Special Forces and Afghan National Army commando
operation in the volatile northern Afghanistan province of Kunduz on the
morning of June 16, 2010; and
WHEREAS, During the operation, the Special Forces units suffered a
series of weapons malfunctions that jeopardized the mission; Lieutenant
David Provencher moved his platoon forward and established two mounted
positions with his vehicles; he then dismounted and moved on foot meet-
ing up with the Special Forces Team Leader to gain a better idea of the
battlefield situation and to identify security positions; and
WHEREAS, Exposing himself to enemy fire, Lieutenant David Provencher,
from his vantage point, was able to identify enemy fighters moving into
positions north and west of his platoon's location; once again, he moved
through enemy fire to emplace his men in security positions; his rapid
emplacement of troops, and their precise fire, halted the enemy advance,
causing a lull in the fighting; and
WHEREAS, With a perimeter established, Lieutenant David Provencher
gathered three wounded engineers and led them to a Special Operations
Forces medic; before returning to his embattled troops, he ensured the
wounded were being treated and readied for evacuation; and
WHEREAS, On two other occasions, Lieutenant David Provencher found
more fallen comrades and responded to their recovery, thus again expos-
ing himself to intense enemy fire; his fearless resolve inspired and
revitalized his platoon to continue fighting as he moved the fallen
comrades safely out of the area; Lieutenant David Provencher's men then
remounted their vehicles while he made one final security sweep ensuring
no soldiers, weapons, or equipment were left behind; and
WHEREAS, The military men and women, such as 1st Lieutenant David
Provencher, who serve us so well and who often stand in harm's way do so

to maintain our role as the leader of the free world; they are the true
defenders of democracy and democratic ideals; and
WHEREAS, The banner of freedom will always wave over our beloved New
York and all of America, the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave;
and
WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with which these men and women serve their country, and must recognize
that no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who risk their
lives for their beloved Nation; and
WHEREAS, The freedoms and security we cherish as Americans come at a
very high price for those serving in the military in times of conflict;
it is fitting and proper that we, who are the beneficiaries of the cour-
age of those who risk their lives, leaving their families behind,
express our appreciation and eternal gratitude for their sacrifices and
courageous acts; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor 1st Lieutenant David Provencher upon the occasion of his desig-
nation as a recipient of a Silver Star from the United States Army; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to 1st Lieutenant David Provencher.