2025-J1046
      
             
Senate Resolution No. 1046
 
BY: Senator TEDISCO
 
        COMMENDING Thomas W. Vandish 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 Thomas  W.
Vandish  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,  Thomas  W. Vandish is being honored by the Saratoga County
Honor a Veteran  Committee  during  its  "Honor  our  Deceased  Veterans
Ceremony" on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Ballston Spa, New York; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Thomas  W. Vandish was born on April 2, 1928, in Syracuse,
New York, to parents Warren and Martha; and
 
  WHEREAS, Thomas  W.  Vandish  entered  the  United  States  Army  on
September 10, 1942; and
 
  WHEREAS,  In the United States Army, Thomas W. Vandish was stationed
in New Guinea and the Philippines as  a  morse  code  operator,  and  on
December 19, 1945, he was discharged at the rank of staff sergeant; and
 
  WHEREAS,   For   his  courageous  service  in  New  Guinea  and  the
Philippines, Thomas W. Vandish earned  the  respect  and  admiration  of
those he served alongside; and
 
  WHEREAS,  After  leaving  the  United States Army, Thomas W. Vandish
moved to Malta, New York, in 1954, and  he  worked  as  a  salesman  and
manager of Steel and Aluminum Distributor for Brace Mueller Huntly Inc.,
from  1946  to 1979; he then worked for Van Patten Golf Course from 1980
to 1993; and
 
  WHEREAS, Thomas W.  Vandish  was  committed  to  serving  his  local
community,  and he did so as a former cub master for the Malta Cub Scout
Pack, a volunteer fireman for the Malta Ridge Fire Company, and a member
and past Commander of the VFW Post 358; and
 
  WHEREAS, In  his  personal  time,  Thomas  W.  Vandish  enjoyed  the
outdoors, hunting, fishing, golfing, bowling, and spending time with his
wife, Laura, and their two daughters and two sons; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Thomas  W. Vandish died on July 1, 2004, at the age of 76;
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,
Thomas W. Vandish 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  Thomas  W.  Vandish  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 Thomas W. Vandish.