LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the untimely death of Captain John J.
Levulis of Eden, New York, and paying tribute to his courageous actions
as a member of the United States Army

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to memorialize and
honor the courage and bravery of members of the United States Armed
Forces who have lost their lives while carrying out missions to 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, It is with feelings of deepest regret that this Legislative
Body mourns the untimely death of Captain John J. Levulis of Eden, New
York, and pays tribute to his courageous actions as a member of the
United States Army; and
WHEREAS, Captain John J. Levulis was one of four soldiers injured on
May 1, 2015, when their Humvee, part of a convoy en route to Fort Dix,
New Jersey, was hit by a car; on Thursday, May 7, 2015, at the age of
25, this valiant man died from his injuries; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant John J. Levulis was posthumously promoted to the
esteemed rank of Captain; and
WHEREAS, A native of Eden, New York, John J. Levulis served as a
member of his school government and participated in Boy Scouts, where he
earned every badge possible; for his Eagle Scout project, he worked on
the Veterans Memorial at the American Legion; and
WHEREAS, John J. Levulis, graduated from Eden High School in 2008,
where he played both basketball and lacrosse; he went on to graduate
summa cum laude from Niagara University, where he participated in the
ROTC Program; and
WHEREAS, After graduation, John J. Levulis was commissioned as a
Second Lieutenant; in this capacity, he served a tour of duty in Afghan-
istan in 2014, holding the position of Infantry Platoon Leader with the
10th Mountain Division, stationed at Fort Drum, New York; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant John J. Levulis' fellow platoon members in Afghan-
istan called themselves "The Avengers," and gave their leader the nick-
name of "Captain America"; at his funeral, friends and family members
wore small Captain America shields pinned to their chests and a large
version adorned the lectern in honor of the young man whose dream was to
serve his country and community; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his brief military career, Captain John J. Levulis
was the recipient of numerous awards and accolades for his dedicated
service to his beloved country including the Bronze Star, Combat Infan-
try Badge, Afghanistan campaign medal, NATO campaign medal, Airborne
Wings and the Meritorious Service Medal; and
WHEREAS, Captain John J. Levulis will always be remembered for his
fierce devotion and loyalty to his wife and family, his dedication to
his treasured homeland, and his steadfast work ethic; he lived by his
credo of "Do your best. Work hard. Be respectful. Show up. Do the right
thing, and sometimes, 'Kwitcher bellyaching'. "; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by both of his grandfathers, Ralph Ranney and
Alfred Levulis, Captain John J. Levulis is survived by his beloved wife,
the former Julianne N. Viviano; his devoted parents, Gary and Barbara
Levulis; an adoring brother, James T. Levulis; two cherished grandmoth-
ers, Shirley Ranney, and Dorothy Levulis; and father and mother-in-law,
Joseph A. and Diane Viviano; as well as brother-in-law Joseph P. Vivi-
ano; and
WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with which our men and women served this country, and must recognize

that no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who give of their
lives for their beloved Nation; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, John J. Levulis leaves
behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will
remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the untimely death of Captain John J. Levulis of Eden, New York,
and paying tribute to his courageous actions as a member of the United
States Army; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Captain John J. Levulis.