LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the veterans participating in Honor
Flight by the Hudson Valley Chapter of Honor Flight on June 9, 2012

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 deserve a special salute from this Legislative
Body; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the veterans
participating in Honor Flight by the Hudson Valley Chapter of Honor
Flight on June 9, 2012; and
WHEREAS, On Saturday, June 9, 2012, nearly 100 veterans will depart
from Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, New York, and arrive in
Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Virginia, for a free, one-day
visit to Washington, DC; this trip will allow the veterans to have a
personal look at the World War II and other war memorials that honor
their service and the ultimate sacrifice made by those who did not
return home; and
WHEREAS, The Hudson Valley Chapter of Honor Flight, which includes
Orange, Ulster, Westchester, Rockland, Putnum and Dutchess counties, is
a local chapter of the National Honor Flight Network; and
WHEREAS, The Hudson Valley Chapter of Honor Flight gives priority to
World War II veterans and terminally ill veterans from other wars; their
goal is to have two flights a year depart from Stewart Airport and take
Hudson Valley veterans to their respective war memorials; the one-day
trips involve a unique itinerary designed to give the veterans the
complete Honor Flight experience that they rightly deserve and to show
how grateful we as Americans are for their sacrifices and what their
service meant to this great country; and
WHEREAS, The Honor Flight Network program was conceived by Earl Morse,
a physician assistant and Retired Air Force Captain; Captain Morse want-
ed to honor the veterans he had taken care of for the past 27 years;
after retiring from the Air Force in 1998, Captain Morse was hired by
the Department of Veterans Affairs to work in a small clinic in Spring-
field, Ohio; and
WHEREAS, In May of 2004, 65 years after the war's end, the World War
II Memorial was unveiled in Washington, DC; the memorial quickly became
a popular attraction for the veterans around the VA clinic where Captain
Morse worked; however, Captain Morse only knew of one patient who actu-
ally made it to the memorial; the rest did not survive long enough to
see their plans through or simply could not afford to go; and
WHEREAS, Captain Morse formed National Honor Flight in order to raise
funds for veterans to receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington,
DC, to view the memorial that was erected in their honor; the Honor
Flight Network now has over 70 chapters throughout the United States and
2012 marks its eighth year running; Honor Flight has successfully and
safely transported over 81,000 World War II, Korean, and Vietnam veter-
ans to Washington, DC; and
WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with which these men served their country, and must recognize that no
greater debt is owed than that owed to those who have risked their lives
for their beloved Nation; and
WHEREAS, Having exhibited their patriotism both at home and abroad,
these men have demonstrated their love for their country and merit
forevermore the highest respect of their 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
honor the veterans participating in Honor Flight by the Hudson Valley
Chapter of Honor Flight on June 9, 2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Hudson Valley Chapter of Honor Flight and to the veterans
participating in the Honor Flight on June 9, 2012.