LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the opening of the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Museum in Elmira, New York, on May 2, 2009

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; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to join the members of
the Elmira Chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America in commemorating the
opening of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Museum in Elmira, New York, to
be celebrated with a ceremony on Saturday, May 2, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Located on Davis Street near Woodlawn National Cemetery, the
resting place of thousands of veterans, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Museum building was donated by Bob and Mary Edger, of Elmira, New York;
and
WHEREAS, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Museum will be named in honor
of Major Robert H. Schuler Jr., a 1956 Elmira Southside graduate who was
the first casualty of the war from Chemung County; an Air Force pilot,
he was shot down in 1965, and his remains were not located or returned
home until nearly 40 years later; and
WHEREAS, In honor of 38 veterans from both Chemung and Steuben County,
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Museum will display a wide array of arti-
facts from the Vietnam War, such as weapons and ammunition, uniforms and
equipment, photographs, and models of military aircraft and vehicles;
sandbags filled with Styrofoam will be used as props, replicating bunk-
ers, and a uniformed mannequin will be on hand to greet visitors; and
WHEREAS, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Museum will include a Wall of
Honor with photographs and short biographies submitted by families of
the 58 troops from Chemung County killed in action during the Vietnam
War; in addition, there will be Internet access and a television for
watching movies, as well as a library of Vietnam-related books and other
materials; and
WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
of the men and women who served their country, and must recognize that
no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who gave their lives for
their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing in action;
and
WHEREAS, Having exhibited their patriotism both at home and abroad,
these men and women demonstrated their love for their country and merit
forevermore, the highest respect of their State and Nation; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the opening of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Museum in Elmi-
ra, New York, on May 2, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Charles Slater, President, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Museum,
1200 Davis Street, Elmira, New York.