LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring John W. and Katherine Gillespie posthu-
mously upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of a Liberty
Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York
State Senate

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor John W. and
Katherine Gillespie posthumously upon the occasion of their designation
as recipients of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate, to be celebrated at the Colum-
bia County Honor A Veteran Ceremony on July 25, 2016, in Hudson, New
York; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, John William Gillespie was born November 10, 1892 in Brook-
lyn, New York, to William and Annie (Ryan) Gillespie; raised in New York
City, working as a clerk he was inducted in the United States Army on
March 28, 1917 in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, After his initial training, John W. Gillespie was assigned to
Battery B, 59th Artillery in France; he saw action in the St. Mihiel and
the Meuse Argonne offenses; his duties included the placing of communi-
cation panels to distinguish between contested forward positions; and
WHEREAS, Private First Class John W. Gillespie was honorably
discharged on February 5, 1919, at Fort Upton, New York; he enlisted in
the National Guard and was assigned to 8th Co., 13th Coastal Defense
Command; and
WHEREAS, Cited for his "excellent, honest and faithful" character,
John W. Gillespie was again honorably discharged at the rank of 1st
Sergeant on April 25, 1921; for his meritorious service, he was awarded
the esteemed Victory Medal; and
WHEREAS, Katherine Sweeney was born February 25, 1897, in New York
City to William J. and Annie (Gray) Sweeney; working as an executive
secretary, she was inducted in the United States Navy on May 3, 1918;
and
WHEREAS, After her initial training, Yeoman 1st Class Katherine Swee-
ney was assigned to the 3rd Naval District, USN Fleet Supply Base in
South Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Yeoman 1st Class Katherine Sweeney worked in the Provisions
and Clothing Depot until she was honorably discharged on July 31, 1919
in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, For her admirable service, Katherine Sweeney was awarded the
respected Victory Button; and
WHEREAS, John W. Gillespie and Katherine Sweeney were married on June
1, 1922, in Brooklyn, New York, and together they raised two children,
John William, Jr. and Dorothy Katherine; and
WHEREAS, John W. Gillespie worked as a banker for Hanover Trust Bank
and the New York Federal Reserve while Katherine Gillespie worked at the
New York Cotton Exchange as an executive secretary; and

WHEREAS, In mid-century the Gillespies moved to Copake, New York,
where John was a member of Copake Grange; the couple remained communi-
cants of Saint Bridget's Catholic Church in Copake Falls, New York,
until their deaths; and
WHEREAS, John W. Gillespie died on January 26, 1975, at the VA hospi-
tal in Albany, New York, at the age of 82, and was buried in Copake
Falls, New York; and
WHEREAS, Katherine Gillespie died on October 31, 1986, at the VA
hospital in Seattle, Washington, at the age of 89, and was buried beside
her husband, John, in Copake Falls, New York; and
WHEREAS, John W. and Katherine Gillespie are survived by their two
children, John and Dorothy, and seven grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Having exhibited their patriotism both at home and abroad,
John W. and Katherine Gillespie demonstrated their love for their coun-
try 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 John W. and Katherine Gillespie posthumously upon the occasion of
their designation as recipients of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor
bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of John W. and Katherine Gillespie.