LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the untimely death of Sergeant First
Class Anthony Venetz, Jr., of Wading River, New York, and paying tribute
to his courageous actions as a member of the United States Army

WHEREAS, The courage and bravery of our military personnel since the
United States Armed Forces commenced Operation Enduring Freedom 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 served so valiantly and honorably during Operation Enduring Free-
dom, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, It is with feelings of deepest regret that this Legislative
Body mourns the untimely death of Sergeant First Class Anthony Venetz,
Jr. of Wading River, New York, and pays tribute to his courageous
actions as a member of the United States Army; and
WHEREAS, Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group
(Airborne) in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, Sergeant First Class Anthony
Venetz, Jr., age 30, died on January 28, 2011, in Parwan province,
Afghanistan, during Operation Enduring Freedom; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of Shoreham-Wading River High School in 1999,
Sergeant First Class Anthony Venetz, Jr. enlisted in the United States
Army in February 2001; he completed basic combat training and advanced
infantry training at Ft. Benning, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, The first assignment of Sergeant First Class Anthony Venetz,
Jr. was with the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment out of Ft. Hood,
Texas, where he was assigned as a scout platoon, and during which time
he was deployed to Cuba and twice to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi
Freedom; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant First Class Anthony Venetz, Jr. volunteered to
become a Special Forces soldier in 2007; he graduated from the Special
Forces Qualification course in 2009 and was assigned to the 7th Special
Forces Airborne Group at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant First Class Anthony Venetz, Jr.'s awards and deco-
rations include: two Bronze Star Medals, one with valor; two Purple
Heart Awards; four Army Commendation Medals, two with valor; Army Good
Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal;
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; NCO Professional Development
Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Ribbon; Presidential Unit Cita-
tion; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Meritorious Unit Award; Special
Forces Tab; Combat Infantry Badge; Expert Infantryman Badge; and Para-
chutist Badge; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Sergeant First Class Anthony Venetz, Jr.'s mili-
tary education included the: Warrior Leaders course, Basic Noncommis-
sioned OHTCGT course, Combat Lifesaver course, Basic Airborne course,
Army Sniper course and the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape
course; and
WHEREAS, As a Ranger, Sergeant First Class Anthony Venetz, Jr. self-
lessly lived his life for others and distinguished himself as a member
of the Army's premier light-infantry unit; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant First Class Anthony Venetz, Jr. is survived by his
wife, Debbie and two children: daughter, Alexa, and son, Jace; he is
also survived by his two sisters, Erika Zowd and Andrea Ersgruber; and
by his mother, Marion Venetz, and father, Anthony Venetz, Sr.; 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 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, 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 those who
risk their lives, leaving their families behind, express our appreci-
ation and eternal gratitude for their sacrifices and courageous acts;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the untimely death of Sergeant First Class Anthony Venetz, Jr. of
Wading River, New York, and pay tribute to his courageous actions as a
member of the United States Army; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Sergeant First Class Anthony Venetz, Jr.