LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Gerard Barbosa upon the occasion
of being awarded the insignia of Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by the
President of the French Republic, in November 2013, in recognition of
his valiant service during the Invasion of Normandy

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose exemplary military service merited deco-
rations for achievement and commendable service, especially those
soldiers who so valiantly served for the benefit of other peoples and
nations; and
WHEREAS, It is also the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and
pay tribute to those distinguished veterans whose service has been
recognized by the governments of other nations, in appreciation and
gratitude for their contributions to securing or maintaining the freedom
of those lands; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concerns, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Gerard Barbosa upon the occasion of being awarded the insignia of
Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by the President of the French Republic
in recognition of his valiant service during the Invasion of Normandy;
he will receive this prestigious medal in November 2013, in New York
City; and
WHEREAS, Gerard Barbosa voluntarily enlisted in the United States Navy
in March 1941, prior to our Nation's entree into World War II; a
gunner's mate aboard the U.S.S. Raleigh, at Pearl Harbor, he was on the
deck of his ship on December 7, 1941, the day the Japanese attacked; and
WHEREAS, After Pearl Harbor, Gerard Barbosa was sent to fight in
Europe aboard a ship known as LST-157; the ship was involved in numerous
raids, but none compared to D-Day, June 6, 1944, the invasion of Norman-
dy on Omaha Beach, where so many valiant soldiers lost their lives; and
WHEREAS, Gerard Barbosa was honorably discharged from the United
States Navy in 1945; he went on to work for various companies, including
Grumman Aerospace, where he helped build the Lunar Excursion Module that
landed on the Moon on July 20, 1969; and
WHEREAS, Decorated for his military service, as well as for his
distinction as a survivor of Pearl Harbor, Gerard Barbosa is a Life
Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, East Meadow Post No. 2736; and
WHEREAS, A resident of East Meadow, New York, Gerard Barbosa is a
dedicated family man; he and his wife of 53 years, Marie, are the proud
parents of two children, Gerard and Bonnie; 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, their Nation, and to
the ideal of freedom throughout the world; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Gerard Barbosa upon the occasion of being awarded the
insignia of Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, by the President of the
French Republic, in recognition of his valiant service during the Inva-
sion of Normandy World War II; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Gerard Barbosa.