LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending First Lieutenant David Provencher upon
the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Silver Star by the
United States Army

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who
have served so faithfully and courageously in wars in which our Nation's
freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace during
peacetime, 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 commend
First Lieutenant David Provencher upon the occasion of his designation
as recipient of a Silver Star by the United States Army at a ceremony
held on Wednesday, January 26, 2011, at Forward Operating Base Kunduz,
located 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 highest honors; and
WHEREAS, United States Army First 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 of 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 who were mortally wounded; and
WHEREAS, A 1999 graduate of Ellenville High School, First 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; First Lieu-
tenant David Provencher moved his platoon forward and established two
mounted positions with his vehicles; he then dismounted and moved on
foot meeting 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, First 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 posi-
tions; 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, First 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, First Lieutenant David Provencher
found more fallen comrades and responded to their recovery, thus again,
exposing 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; First 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 First 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, 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, This Legislative Body is moved with great respect and rever-
ent esteem, and, on behalf of all the citizens of the Empire State, to
renew its tribute to the men and women of New York State who so coura-
geously serve their State and Nation during the War in Afghanistan in
defense of freedom and democracy; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend First Lieutenant David Provencher upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of a Silver Star by the United States Army; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to First Lieutenant David Provencher.