Senate Resolution No. 2103

BY: Senator TEDISCO

COMMENDING Donald L. Hersey 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 Donald L.
Hersey 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, Donald L. Hersey is being honored posthumously by the
Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency at its Honor our Deceased
Veterans Ceremony on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the County Building in
Ballston Spa, New York; and

WHEREAS, Donald L. Hersey was born on November 28, 1945, in Corinth,
New York, to parents Louis and Mabel and attended Galway Schools; and

WHEREAS, Entering into the U.S. Marine Corps on January 29, 1965,
Donald L. Hersey trained as an Engineer Equipment Operator and then
served as a Combat Engineer in Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, After his Vietnam service, Donald L. Hersey was assigned to
Company B 8th Engineer Battalion at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, On October 7, 1967, Donald L. Hersey married his beloved
wife, Beverly, with whom he had three cherished children; and

WHEREAS, Donald L. Hersey was honorably discharged at the rank of
Sergeant on January 28, 1968, and later served in the U.S. Army
Reserves; and

WHEREAS, For his dedicated and valuable service, Donald L. Hersey
was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnamese Service Medal with 1
Star, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnamese Campaign Medal
with Device, and the Presidential Unit Citation; and

WHEREAS, Following his years of impactful military service, Donald
L. Hersey was self-employed with numerous endeavors, such as bulldozing
and landscaping work; later, he was employed by the former Lockheed
Martin in West Milton, New York, until his retirement in 2002; and

WHEREAS, Donald L. Hersey was an admired member of the Providence
Volunteer Ambulance Corp and the Volunteer Fire Department; he was also
a proud member of the American Legion Post 1461; and

WHEREAS, Donald L. Hersey died on December 20, 2025, at the age of
80; and

WHEREAS, Donald L. Hersey, in his lifetime of selfless service, has
so aptly demonstrated his character and compassion for the welfare of
others, personifying, by virtue of his action, the collective concern of
ordinary citizens across the community of New York State who voluntarily
respond without thinking of danger or reward when others need help; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Donald L. Hersey 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 Donald L. Hersey.