LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION recognizing September 29, 2012, as Orange County
Veterans Memorial Day

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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to recognize Saturday,
September 29, 2012, as Orange County Veterans Memorial Day, to be cele-
brated at the Newburgh Unity Center, Newburgh, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Great War, as World War I was called at the time, began
in 1914; by 1917, thousands of men had died in the terrible trench
warfare; when the United States entered the war, the British and French
troops faced their German counterparts along a heavily fortified front
known as the Hindenburg Line; and
WHEREAS, Serving in those infamous trenches were many men from Orange
County, New York; they had been part of the New York State National
Guard First Regiment serving with Company I in Middletown or Companies E
and L in Newburgh; and
WHEREAS, The storied 7th Regiment was also called the "Silk stocking
regiment" from New York City; when the United States entered the war,
these companies were combined into the 107th Infantry Regiment, which
was part of the 27th Division; and
WHEREAS, On the morning of September 29, 1918, these Orange County men
found themselves stationed between the British and French forces, facing
the most formidable part of the Hindenburg Line; and
WHEREAS, That day must not be forgotten, for when the bugle sounded,
the 107th charged out of their trenches, and by day's end, had broken
the Hindenburg Line; and
WHEREAS, However, the 107th paid dearly for its success with heavy
casualties; indeed, no other American regiment suffered as many fatali-
ties in one day as the 107th; for Orange County, New York, this was
especially staggering, for 39 young men were killed in action on that
day; and
WHEREAS, The breaking of the Hindenburg Line was the final blow to the
Kaiser's army and six weeks later, the armistice was signed on November
11th and the "war to end all wars" finally came to an end; and
WHEREAS, Orange County lost more than 200 of its citizens in World War
I, but never in its history have they lost so many on one day; and
WHEREAS, Orange County Veterans Memorial Day remembers not just those
39 men but all those Orange County citizens who have lost their lives
while serving in our nation's Armed Forces; 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 gave their
lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing
in action; and
WHEREAS, Having exhibited their patriotism both at home and abroad,
these men and women demonstrated their love for their country and merit
forevermore, the highest respect of their 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
recognize September 29, 2012, as Orange County Veterans Memorial Day.