Senate Resolution No. 356

BY: Senator YOUNG

COMMENDING Firefighter Edwin Nelson Jr. upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 70 years of dedicated service to the Lakewood
Fire Department

WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and
indebted to our noble volunteer firefighters who exhibit courage and
bravery every day in the course of their duties; and

WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters exemplify the power of human
compassion and the strength of the American spirit through actions of
the most heroic magnitude; their sacrifices and their selfless
dedication merit tribute and recognition by all citizens of this great
country; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Firefighter Edwin Nelson Jr. upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition after 70 years of dedicated service to the Lakewood
Fire Department to be celebrated at an event on Saturday, February 9,
2019; and

WHEREAS, Edwin Nelson Jr. was born to the late Edwin Sr. and
Katherine Nelson on September 22, 1929, in Muskegon, Michigan; he and
his family moved to Lakewood, New York, where he attended high school;
and

WHEREAS, Edwin Nelson Jr. proudly served his country as a member of
the United States Armed Forces during the Korean War; upon the
completion of his service, he worked as a service department supervisor
for the Debell Vending Company, the position from which he officially
retired in 1994; and

WHEREAS, Edwin Nelson Jr. joined the Lakewood Fire Department in
1949; throughout his many years of service, he was always ready and
willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it, and was known
for his patience and his steadfast and unremitting commitment to the
Department and his community; and

WHEREAS, When he is not at the firehouse or spending time outdoors
fishing, Edwin Nelson Jr. enjoys spending time with his four children,
Laura Gilbert, Edwin Nelson III, James B. Nelson and Tracey Emerson; 15
grandchildren, Edwin IV, Nichole, Ryan, Jennifer, Bonnie, James Jr.,
Ashley, Alicia, Troy, Colten, Miranda, Melissa, Nolan, Michaele and
Brian, and his 12 great-grandchildren; he also has wonderful memories of
his beloved late wife, Bonnie, and son, Douglas; and

WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride,
valor, and integrity; these respected volunteers are often the first to
respond to an emergency, whether the emergency is a fire, transportation
accident, natural disaster, act of terrorism, medical crisis, or spill
of hazardous materials; and

WHEREAS, It takes a special dedication, a strong desire to help
others and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time with
family and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need;
Edwin Nelson Jr. is such a firefighter; throughout 70 years of devoted
service, this volunteer heroically performed, above and beyond the call
of duty, those responsibilities which define the task of fire
protection; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Firefighter Edwin Nelson Jr. upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition after 70 years of dedicated service
to the Lakewood Fire Department; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Firefighter Edwin Nelson Jr.