LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Sons of the American Legion Detachment
Commander John J. Knapp upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by the American Legion, Department of New York

WHEREAS, The American Legion is a veterans' service organization which
draws its membership from the men and women who have served in the Armed
Forces of the United States during a period of Congressionally recog-
nized war or armed conflict; and
WHEREAS, The American Legion was founded by members of the American
Expeditionary Forces (AEF) who convened at Paris, France, on March
15-19, 1919; the following May, soldiers, sailors and marines represent-
ing every state met in St. Louis to ratify the action of the AEF,
already endorsed by the highest military authorities, and launch the
American Legion as a national organization of American veterans; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Sons of the
American Legion Detachment Commander John J. Knapp upon the occasion of
his designation for special recognition by the American Legion, Depart-
ment of New York on Sunday, February 17, 2013, at the Honeoye-Hemlock
Post 1278 in Honeoye, New York; and
WHEREAS, One of the fundamental aims of the American Legion was to
create a fraternity based upon firm comradeship, born of war service,
and dedicated to equitable treatment for all veterans, particularly the
suffering and disabled, their widows and children; and
WHEREAS, John Knapp joined the United States Marine Corps in March of
1969; he was deployed to Vietnam and during his tour he was wounded,
later being awarded the Purple Heart; and
WHEREAS, An active member of Post 1390 and the Sons of the American
Legion, John Knapp earned his Legion entitlement through his father,
Kenneth Knapp, a veteran of World War II; and
WHEREAS, A member of the Sons of the American Legion for 30 years,
John Knapp held offices at the Squadron, County and District levels; he
completed two years as Detachment-Vice Commander for the 5th and 6th
Districts; and
WHEREAS, A true supporter of his community, John Knapp has been a
volunteer firefighter in the Harpursville Fire Department for five years
and with the Sanitaria Springs Fire Department for three years; he has
been a driver for the Colesville Ambulance Squad for 13 years and has
actively supported the Harpursville Schools Marching Band for over 12
years; and
WHEREAS, A member of the Harpursville Methodist Church, John Knapp
retired from the Rogers Trucking Company after 25 years of service; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Ida, and their six
children, 14 grandchildren, and great-granddaughter, all of whom feel
privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Detachment Commander John Knapp has helped to make the Sons
of the American Legion Family an organization recognized with pride
throughout Erie County; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Sons of the American Legion Detachment Commander John J. Knapp
upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the
American Legion, Department of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Detachment Commander John. J. Knapp, Sons of the American
Legion.