LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Irene and Karl R. Rohde for their
distinguished service to the VFW, and congratulating Irene upon the
occasion of being elected state president of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary on
June 14, 2014

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Irene and Karl R. Rohde have given not only of their time and
energies but also of their competence, intelligence and leadership and
consequently have been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Irene and Karl
R. Rohde for their distinguished service to the VFW, and congratulating
Irene upon the occasion of being elected state president of the VFW
Ladies Auxiliary to be celebrated at its 89th Convention on June 14,
2014, in Syracuse, New York; and
WHEREAS, A life member of VFW Ladies Auxiliary 1374 in Carmel, New
York, Irene Rohde joined on the eligibility of her husband, Karl R.
Rohde, who is a Vietnam Veteran; ten years ago, Karl was VFW state
commander; they are the second married couple in the New York VFW and
VFW Ladies Auxiliary to hold both positions; and
WHEREAS, Irene Rohde has held numerous positions in the VFW Ladies
Auxiliary, including terms as Auxiliary, County, and District President;
she was named Outstanding President of the Year on all three levels; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Irene Rohde is a Life Member of the VFW National
Home for Children, and a member of the Military Order of the Cootie
Auxiliary; on the state level, Irene Rohde has served as chairman for
many programs winning numerous National Awards; and
WHEREAS, Irene Rohde will lead the State VFW Ladies Auxiliary under
her theme "The Journey is the Reward When Serving Our Veterans"; her
main goal is to increase membership which in turn strengthens the Auxil-
iaries support for Veterans; and
WHEREAS, Outside of her many duties and responsibilities to the VFW
Ladies Auxiliary, Irene Rohde is employed by Fay & Maloney Insurance
Agency as a customer service representative; and
WHEREAS, Karl R. Rohde's eligibility for the Veterans of Foreign Wars
is from his service in Vietnam; from June 1969 through June 1970, he
served with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade, and the 523rd Signal
Battalion of the Americal Division; and
WHEREAS, Karl R. Rohde is the recipient of numerous awards and acco-
lades for his exceptional military service including the Silver Star,
Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon,
Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallan-
try, and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross; and
WHEREAS, Karl R. Rohde holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, and a Master
of Arts degree in American History, as well as a Master of Arts degree
in secondary Education; and
WHEREAS, Retired from Verizon, Karl R. Rohde is currently working as a
full time substitute teacher in the Pawling High School; and
WHEREAS, In 2010, Karl R. Rohde was appointed Putnam County Historian
by the County Executive; two years later, he left his position to accept
an appointment as Director of the Putnam County Veterans Service Agency;
and
WHEREAS, A life member of the Daniel J. O'Brien VFW Post 1374 in
Carmel, New York, since 1987, Karl R. Rohde has served on all levels of
the VFW from Post to National; from 2002 to 2003, he was State Comman-

der, and attained the high honor of All-American Commander; in addition,
he served six years as the State Legislative chairman; and
WHEREAS, Presently, Karl R. Rohde is in his 8th year on the VFW
National Legislative Committee, and is serving as Post Commander again;
and
WHEREAS, Not only a member of the VFW, Karl R. Rohde belongs to the
Americal Division Veterans Association, American Legion, Military Order
of the Cootie, Amvets, 40 and 8 and the Elks; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Karl R. Rohde is an Assistant Scoutmaster of Boy
Scouts of America Troop 14 in Kent, New York, and is the founding Chair-
man and now delegate to the Putnam County Joint Veterans Council; he has
also been appointed to the Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park Advisory
Committee, where he served as former chairman, and is the Chairman of
Congresswoman Nan Hayworth's Veterans Advisory Committee; and
WHEREAS, Together, Irene and Karl R. Rohde have two children, Dori
(Dan), and Karl W. (Sarah), and five grandchildren, Olivia, Daniel,
Robert, Andrew, and Charles, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of
their lives and rejoice in their achievements; and
WHEREAS, Irene and Karl R. Rohde have been called upon to contribute
their time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and
have always given of themselves unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of their community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Irene and Karl R. Rohde have stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals
for the benefit of others which Irene and Karl R. Rohde have displayed
throughout their lives; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Irene and Karl R. Rohde for their distinguished service to the
VFW, and congratulating Irene upon the occasion of being elected state
president of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary on June 14, 2014; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Irene and Karl R. Rohde.