LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Corporal Ken Charles Jr. upon the occa-
sion of his designation as recipient of the Army Commendation Medal for
outstanding service to the military

WHEREAS, The courage and bravery of our military personnel since the
United States Armed Forces commenced Operation Enduring Freedom will
ensure our continued role as a Nation which embodies the ideals of
democracy, and as a defender of liberty for people throughout the world;
and
WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who
have served so valiantly and honorably during Operation Enduring Free-
dom, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to act, in accord
with its long-standing traditions, to honor Corporal Ken Charles Jr. of
Wurtsboro, New York, upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the Army Commendation Medal for outstanding service to the military;
he received this auspicious honor on June 7, 2013, after completing two
tours in Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, Prior to joining the New York State Army National Guard 101st
Expeditionary Signal Battalion Alpha Company, Peekskill, New York, in
August, 2013, Corporal Ken Charles Jr. attended SUNY Cobleskill; and
WHEREAS, This brave soldier, began basic training at Fort Benning in
Columbus, Georgia, in January of 2011, and was then transferred to Fort
Gordon in Augusta, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, At Fort Gordon, Corporal Ken Charles Jr. received extensive
Advanced Individual Training of a classified nature in the field of
Computer Network Administration and graduated in the top 10th percentile
of his class in October of 2011; and
WHEREAS, His Battalion of 450 troops was deployed out of Stewart Air
Force Base on August 19, 2012, to Kandahar, Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, During his first tour in Kandahar, Corporal Ken Charles Jr.
gained both Security credentials and Network credentials from CompTIA,
CISCO based courses; at this time he was promoted from Private First
Class to Corporal; and
WHEREAS, After returning home in May, 2013, Corporal Ken Charles Jr.
returned to Afghanistan in June of 2013, to complete his second tour; he
was assigned to a Forward Operating Base, Azizulah, where, due to his
expertise of computerized base operations, he was among four soldiers to
staff the administration facility; and
WHEREAS, Corporal Ken Charles Jr.'s father and stepmother, Ken Sr. and
Dottie, feel privileged and proud to be a part of his life and rejoice
in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, The banner of freedom will always, wave over our beloved New
York and all of America, the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave;
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 gave their
lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing
in action; and
WHEREAS, The freedoms and security we cherish as Americans come at a
very high price for those serving in the military in times of conflict;
it is fitting and proper that we who are the beneficiaries of those who
risk their lives, leaving their families behind, express our appreci-
ation and eternal gratitude for their sacrifices and courageous acts;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Corporal Ken Charles Jr. upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the Army Commendation Medal for outstanding service to the
military; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Corporal Ken Charles Jr.