Senate Resolution No. 2909

BY: Senator TEDISCO

COMMENDING Howard Richard Neahr 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 Howard
Richard Neahr 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, to be celebrated on Tuesday,
October 18, 2022; 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 July 8, 1924, Howard Richard "Dick" Neahr entered
the United States Army on April 8, 1943 in Albany, New York; he was
stationed at Camp Croft and Fort Meade before being transferred to
Liverpool, England and Northern Ireland for training; and

WHEREAS, After the D Day invasion, Howard Richard Neahr spent time
in Luxembourg and across France as the defense lines moved; he was shot
in the leg during the Battle of the Bulge in January of 1945, and spent
eight weeks in the hospital before being sent back to France to rejoin
his unit; and

WHEREAS, Howard Richard Neahr bravely served his country overseas
with the 409th Infantry Regiment 103rd Division in the Ardennes, Central
Europe, Normandy, Northern France, and Rhineland; he was honorably
discharged on September 29, 1945, at the rank of Private First Class;
and

WHEREAS, For his courageous service during World War II, Howard
Richard Neahr was awarded the Purple Heart, European-African-Middle
Eastern Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantry Badge,
and WWII Victory Medal; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, Howard Richard
Neahr returned home to Providence, New York; and

WHEREAS, Howard Richard Neahr and his high school sweetheart, the
former Sylvia Thorton, were united in marriage on March 28, 1942, and
together they raised seven children; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Howard Richard Neahr worked on his
family's farm delivering milk, plowing and milling trees; he was also

employed by the New York State Thruway Authority for 21 years, retiring
in 1986; and

WHEREAS, Howard Richard Neahr loved to hunt and enjoyed the
outdoors; while he was passionate about many things, above all his
greatest passion was spending time with his beloved family; and

WHEREAS, Howard Richard Neahr died on November 2, 2019, at the age
of 95; 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 risked their
lives for their beloved Nation; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Howard Richard Neahr 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 Howard Richard Neahr 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 Howard Richard Neahr.