LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the New
Windsor Fire Department to be celebrated on July 16, 2011

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 75th Anniver-
sary of the New Windsor Fire Department and to honor its past and pres-
ent firefighting members for 75 years of fire protection to the citizens
of New Windsor, New York, and its surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, This most auspicious occasion will be celebrated at the New
Windsor Fire Department's 75th Anniversary Dinner, to be held on Satur-
day, July 16, 2011, at Anthony's Pier 9 in New Windsor, New York; and
WHEREAS, The idea of a fire company in New Windsor, New York, was
first conceived by William Donohue in 1923; shortly after, William Dona-
hue, W. Eldridge, Sr., and Arthur Smith, Sr., met with some interested
women of the area to discuss organizing a department; and
WHEREAS, In May of 1927, the first officers were elected; the combined
organization was known as the New Windsor Community Club and Fire Engine
Company; and
WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection
services in every locality of our State; the courageous and devoted
firefighters of the New Windsor Fire Department have valiantly responded
to all types of fire emergencies and have won the praise and respect of
the community which they serve; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the New Windsor Fire Department in public service and fire protection is
one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 75 years,
whenever the alarm sounded, these noble volunteers left their homes and
went to the aid of their neighbors; and
WHEREAS, The brave firefighters of the New Windsor Fire Department are
prepared to risk their lives every day to help save the lives of others
and to protect homes and property from the destruction caused by fire;
and
WHEREAS, In addition to the skill and devoted service demonstrated by
individual firefighters, the New Windsor Fire Department reflects the
history and development of firefighting over the past 75 years; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body cannot express sufficient gratitude to
those devoted individuals who recognize that the preservation of life
and property is a sacred responsibility and who make that responsibility
their own by serving as firefighters; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that we should give
special recognition to those who work so assiduously for the betterment
of their communities, and acknowledge publicly the heroic good works
performed by the volunteer fire departments of this great Empire State,
their officers and auxiliaries; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
proudly commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the New Windsor Fire Depart-
ment to be celebrated on July 16, 2011; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the New Windsor Fire Department.