Assembly Resolution No. 1036

BY: M. of A. Buttenschon

HONORING The Greater Rome-Utica Chapter upon the
occasion of its 50th Anniversary of affiliation with
The Military Officers' Association of America (MOAA)

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to the military and its
veterans is unparalleled; indeed, its history of support for military
service dates from the very founding of our proud state militia and its
legendary role in the American Revolution; and

WHEREAS, It is fitting that this Legislative Body acknowledges the
significant milestones of those organizations who, in the finest
traditions of the military, celebrate the men and women of the uniformed
services of our country by striving to memorialize those veterans who
have passed on, honoring those currently serving and teaching the next
generation the value and high cost of freedom; and

WHEREAS, In view of this long-standing tradition of support for our
military, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor The Greater
Rome-Utica Chapter upon the occasion of its 50th Anniversary as an
affiliate of MOAA to be celebrated on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, in
Rome, New York, and its 50 years of continuous and distinguished service
to the Greater Rome-Utica community; and

WHEREAS, The Greater Rome-Utica Chapter is a 501c19 veterans'
organization comprised of current, former and retired commissioned and
warrant officers of the eight branches of the military services whose
mission is to provide nonpartisan advocacy for legislation pertaining to
all military members regardless of rank or branch of service whether on
Active Duty, in the Reserves or in the National Guard; and

WHEREAS, The Greater Rome-Utica Chapter has demonstrated expertise
not only in advocacy on the local, state and national levels but also in
fundraising to provide support to local youth groups and other veteran
and civic organizations whose mission is to foster the development of
leadership skills, community involvement and patriotism among our future
leaders; and

WHEREAS, The Greater Rome-Utica Chapter has for each of the past 10
years organized and coordinated Wreaths Across America in Rome, New
York, ceremonies at six Rome Area cemeteries; this celebration features
the placement of Memory Wreaths on the graves of deceased military
veterans by school age children and their families and highlights the
Wreaths Across America mission of "REMEMBER-HONOR-TEACH"--remember the
fallen, honor those now serving and their families and teach the value
of freedom to the next generation; and

WHEREAS, The Greater Rome-Utica Chapter's expertise in successfully
presenting the Wreaths Across America program has twice been chronicled
in Military Officer magazine, the national monthly publication of MOAA;
and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, The Greater Rome-Utica Chapter has a
long-standing record of providing financial support to Junior Reserve

Officer Training Corps (J ROTC) units at Rome Free Academy in Rome, T.R.
Proctor and Notre Dame High Schools in Utica and to the National Defense
Cadet Corps (NDCC) at Central Valley Academy in Ilion; this support is
intended to supplement training and travel budgets to ensure that each
unit member has access to all opportunities offered by their programs;
and

WHEREAS, The Greater Rome-Utica Chapter conducts a volunteer mission
Monday through Friday of each week at the Donald J. Mitchell Outpatient
VA Clinic at Griffiss Business and Industrial Park; volunteers introduce
and instruct veterans visiting the clinic on the use of "MyHealtheVet",
a computer based program which allows the veteran to participate in his
or her health care in managing appointments, monitoring prescription
orders, communicating with medical staff via secure email and, among
other things, accessing a variety of health information; this volunteer
effort is part of the "Red Coat Ambassador" program of the Syracuse VA
Center where the Chapter volunteers welcome the veterans to the Clinic,
answer questions and assist with any concern; and

WHEREAS, The Greater Rome-Utica Chapter has won accolades from MOAA
for its performance as an affiliate; it is a perennial winner of the
Levels of Excellence Award for outstanding advocacy and community
service; this award places the Chapter among the very top performing
affiliates in the country; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, The Greater Rome-Utica Chapter supports the
Advanced Course in Engineering (ACE Course) conducted annually by the
Air Force Research Laboratory at Griffiss Park; ACE is a highly
competitive summer internship program attended by top-notch American and
international science and engineering students destined for high level
careers in the military, government and industry; the Chapter hosts a
welcoming social event, "The Burger Burn", where the ACE students can
socialize with veterans as well as invited JROTC students with an
interest in pursuing scientific studies and careers; and

WHEREAS, Veterans' organizations like The Greater Rome-Utica Chapter
provide a tremendous service to the future of our State and Nation,
inspiring generations of young people to realize their role as community
leaders and ensuring their future success; and

WHEREAS, The Greater Rome-Utica Chapter has clearly had an enduring
impact on the community, its veterans and its youth and accordingly
merits recognition and applause for its impressive dedication to the
service of others; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the
efforts of the members of The Greater Rome-Utica Chapter who, true to
their motto, "Never Stop Serving" in support of our State and our
Nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor The Greater Rome-Utica Chapter upon the occasion of its 50th
Anniversary of affiliation with The Military Officers' Association of
America; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Greater Rome-Utica Chapter-- Military Officers'
Association of America.