LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring World War II veteran Robert Earl Chan
Sr. for his distinguished military service as he participates in an
Honor Flight to Washington D.C., June 28-29, 2014

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, 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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor World War II
veteran Robert Earl Chan Sr. for his distinguished military service as
he participates in an Honor Flight to Washington D.C., June 28-29, 2014;
and
WHEREAS, Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created
solely to honor America's veterans for all their sacrifices; it thank-
fully transports our heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at
their respective war memorials, with top priority given to veterans of
World War II; and
WHEREAS, Robert Earl Chan Sr. was born in Savannah, Georgia on Septem-
ber 7, 1913, the youngest of six children born to Chinese immigrants,
Ana Lee and Robert Chung Chan; and
WHEREAS, While pursuing an engineering degree at Georgia Tech, Robert
Earl Chan Sr. joined the Reserve Officer Training Corps and began his
illustrious military career; and
WHEREAS, In 1940, this esteemed man graduated from Georgia Tech, and
attained a Commission as a Second Lieutenant following Officer Candidate
School; his first duty post was at the Pentagon Ordinance Department;
and
WHEREAS, Robert Earl Chan Sr. was next assigned to fight in the Burma
Campaign, joining a force of American, Canadian, Chinese, and British
soldiers in fighting to free the country from Japanese occupation; and
WHEREAS, The fighting in this area of the war was particularly severe,
and the allied forces faced a number of dangers, including monsoons,
raging rivers, an unforgiving jungle, and a determined Japanese army;
and
WHEREAS, Robert Earl Chan Sr. fought bravely in spite of these dangers
to help secure an allied victory; he was appointed to the high rank of
Major in recognition of his excellent leadership abilities; and
WHEREAS, After World War II, this remarkable man worked for Eastman
Kodak for many years, achieving great success as a mechanical, and later
optical engineer working on many aerospace related projects; and
WHEREAS, Throughout this time, Robert Earl Chan Sr. remained a member
of the United States Army in the Active Reserve; he studied modem
warfare and used his own combat experience to teach a new generation of
soldiers and officers; after several years, he was promoted to Lieuten-
ant Colonel and in the 1960s, full Colonel; and
WHEREAS, Colonel Robert Earl Chan Sr. served his country with dedi-
cation and enthusiasm until his retirement in the late 1960s; his accom-
plished career was a prime example of the integrity, determination,
courage and leadership abilities of the men and women of the United
States armed forces; and
WHEREAS, Today, this distinguished World War II veteran is over 100
years old, and lives independently in Scottsville, New York; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited their patriotism both at home and abroad,
these brave men and women of our military have 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
honor World War II veteran Robert Earl Chan Sr., for his distinguished
service to the United States Army; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Robert Earl Chan Sr.