Senate Resolution No. 2256

BY: Senator TEDISCO

COMMENDING Hugh A. Sonner Sr. posthumously upon
the occasion of his designation as recipient of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York,
who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this
country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace
in peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Hugh A.
Sonner Sr. posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, Born on February 3, 1923, in Walden, New York, Hugh A.
Sonner Sr. began his military service as a member of the United States
Army on February 25, 1943; and

WHEREAS, Hugh A. Sonner Sr. attended boot camp at Camp Hood, Texas
and Fort Sill, Oklahoma, before shipping out to Europe in July of 1944;
and

WHEREAS, This brave soldier proudly served in Normandy, Northern
France, Ardennes, Central Europe and Rhineland with Battery A, 179th
Field Artillery Battalion, 4th Armored Division, 3rd Army, as a
Cannoneer; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Hugh A. Sonner Sr. fought in the infamous
Battle of the Bulge from December 16, 1944 to January 25, 1945; and

WHEREAS, At the end of the war, Hugh A. Sonner Sr. returned to the
United States on November 21, 1945, during which time he was assigned to
the 870th Ordinance Heavy Automotive Maintenance Company until discharge
on December 6, 1945; and

WHEREAS, For his courageous service during World War II, Hugh A.
Sonner Sr. was awarded the American Campaign Medal, European African
Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory
Medal, and the Army of Occupation Medal (Germany); and

WHEREAS, In a career which traversed nearly three decades, Hugh A.
Sonner Sr. worked for the US Railroad before serving the Boilermakers
Union with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship
Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers; and

WHEREAS, Hugh A. Sonner Sr. married his late wife, Marion, in 1953,
and together they raised two children, Lance and Jane; and


WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his
community, Hugh A. Sonner Sr. built and founded Bel-Air Park, a housing
community in Walden, New York; he was a 61-year member of the William
Varney American Legion Post No. 862 in Lake Luzerne, where he served as
the Post Commander from 1990-1991; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his children, Hugh A. Sonner Sr. is survived
by his grandchildren, Lance (Lauretta), Regis (Stephen), Logan (Ali),
Job III (Jillian) and Jeremy (Jason); three great-grandchildren,
Gwyneth, Killian and Bran; and his companion and love, "Shorty" Beulah
Dunkley, and her children, Val, Vanessa and Sam; and

WHEREAS, Hugh A. Sonner Sr. died on February 21, 2019, at the age of
96; he is buried at Wallkill Valley Cemetery in Walden, New York; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Hugh A. Sonner Sr. demonstrated his love for his country and merits
forevermore the highest respect of his 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
commend Hugh A. Sonner Sr. posthumously upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed
upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Hugh A. Sonner Sr.