LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Chaplain Richard D. Garvey upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition for his brave
service to his country

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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Chaplain Richard D. Garvey upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition for his brave service to his country at the Annual
Memorial Day Breakfast on Thursday, May 24, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Chaplain Richard D. Garvey, from Orange Park, Florida,
enlisted in the Coast Guard Reserves in 1976; and
WHEREAS, During his six year enlistment, Richard D. Garvey achieved
the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class (E-5) as a Boatswain Mate/Port Secu-
rity Man; and
WHEREAS, Richard D. Garvey graduated from DeVry Institute of Technolo-
gy in 1982, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics Engi-
neering Technology; and
WHEREAS, While attending seminary, Richard D. Garvey joined the Michi-
gan National Guard in April 1986, as a Chaplain Assistant and served in
the 38th Infantry Division, 48th Infantry Brigade, Grand Rapids, Michi-
gan; and
WHEREAS, Richard D. Garvey graduated from Grand Rapids Baptist Semi-
nary earning a Master of Divinity Degree in 1989; he was commissioned a
2nd Lieutenant in the Michigan National Guard as a Chaplain Candidate in
April 1992, and graduated from the Chaplain Officers Basic Course at
Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, Chaplain Garvey was commissioned a Chaplain in the Michigan
National Guard in January 1994, and was assigned to the 1st of the 238th
Aviation Regiment (Attack), 63rd Infantry Brigade; and
WHEREAS, He transferred to the Florida National Guard in the summer of
1994, and served as the Battalion Chaplain for the 419th Aviation Group
(Attack) which transitioned to the 1st of the 111th Aviation Regiment
(Attack Helicopter); he was subsequently promoted to Captain in February
of 1996; and
WHEREAS, Chaplain Garvey joined the active Army in September of 1996
and was assigned as a Battalion Chaplain with the 123rd Signal Battal-
ion, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia, and deployed to
Kuwait in February 1998 in support of Operation Southern Watch; and
WHEREAS, He was reassigned as the Battalion Chaplain with the 127th
Aviation Support Battalion, 1st Armor Division, Fleigerhorst, Germany in
January 1999; and
WHEREAS, In 2001, Chaplain Garvey graduated from the Chaplain Officer
Advanced Course; he was reassigned as the Battalion Chaplain for the
71st Corps Support Battalion, 3rd Corps Support Command in Bamberg,
Germany and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from February
2003 through March 2004; and
WHEREAS, Chaplain Garvey was promoted to Major in April 2005, and was
selected for Advanced Civil Schooling and in May of 2005 entered the
Family Life Training program at Fort Benning, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, He graduated from Columbus State University with a Master's
Degree in Community Counseling in August 2006 and was assigned to Fort
Benning as the Family Life Chaplain; and

WHEREAS, Upon completion of his utilization tour as the Family Life
Chaplain, Chaplain Garvey was reassigned as the Brigade Chaplain for the
199th Infantry Brigade, Fort Benning, Georgia; he is currently assigned
as the Fort Hamilton Garrison Chaplain, Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, New
York; and
WHEREAS, Chaplain Richard D. Garvey's awards include the Bronze Star
Medal, the Meritorious Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Commenda-
tion Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with Oak
Leaf Cluster, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with Bronze
Star, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, the Armed
Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary
and Service Medals, the Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Ribbon; and
WHEREAS, Richard D. Garvey is married to the former Rebecca S. Barclay
of Sarasota, Florida; and
WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with which these men and women served 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, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Chaplain Richard D. Garvey has demonstrated his love for his country and
merits forevermore, the highest respect of his State and 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;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Chaplain Richard D. Garvey upon the occasion of his designation
for special recognition for his brave service to his country; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Chaplain Richard D. Garvey.