Senate Resolution No. 1960

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Major David Erikson upon the occasion of
his designation for special recognition by the
Robert L. Weininger Memorial V.F.W. Post No. 8692 on
April 30, 2017

WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in this Nation, and the
great State of New York, is reflective of the purposeful lives and good
works of those patriotic and civic-minded community members who devote
themselves to the welfare of the community and its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Major David Erikson upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by the Robert L. Weininger Memorial V.F.W. Post No. 8692, to
be celebrated at its 47th Annual Loyalty Day Ceremony on Sunday, April
30, 2017, in Colonie, New York; and

WHEREAS, As part of the Loyalty Day, "The Celebration of
Patriotism," event, Major David Erikson will be presented the 2016
Commanders Award; and

WHEREAS, Selected by the Commander of V.F.W Post No. 8692, the
Commanders Award is given annually to either a post member for
outstanding service to the post and community, or to a community
business for their support of veterans or active service members; and

WHEREAS, United States Army Major David Erikson is being recognized
with this auspicious award for his lifelong selfless service and
sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, Born on January 5, 1959, in Port of Spain, Trinidad, David
Erikson and his family settled in Albany, New York, in 1963, where he
attended St. Theresa of Avila Grade School; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from high school in 1976, David Erikson
joined the 1-210 Armor Battalion, NYARNG and reported for basic training
in April of 1977; while in basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he
decided to join the Regular Army; and

WHEREAS, In January of 1978, on his 19th birthday, David Erikson
reported to C Company 2/63 Armor, Fort Riley, Kansas; and

WHEREAS, David Erikson attended both the Primary NCO Academy and the
Basic NCO Academy during his three years of enlisted service before
being discharged from active duty in December of 1980, having earned the
rank of Sergeant; and

WHEREAS, During this time, Sergeant David Erikson returned to school
and enrolled in ROTC in January of 1981; he was commissioned as a 2LT in
Armor in May of 1982, under the early commissioning program; and

WHEREAS, In January of 1985, one month after earning his bachelor's
degree from Siena College, 2LT David Erikson reported to the Armor

Officer Basic course at Fort Knox, Kentucky; in July of the same year,
he was assigned to 1-35 AR, 1st Armored Division in Germany, where he
spent the next six years serving as a platoon leader, company XO,
Battalion S4 and company commander; and

WHEREAS, This brave soldier was then deployed to the Gulf with 1-35
Armor, where he served as a tank company commander; upon returning from
the Gulf, he was assigned to the International Training Center,
Hohenfels, Germany, where he served as an instructor; and

WHEREAS, After more than nine years oversees, Commander David
Erikson returned to the United States, where he served in various
locations before graduating from Command and General Staff College, Fort
Leavenworth, Kansas, in 2000; and

WHEREAS, Awarded an assignment to the ROTC detachment at Siena
College, David Erikson officially retired from the esteemed rank of
Major on January 1, 2003; and

WHEREAS, In September of 2015, Major David Erikson established a
highly successful JROTC program at Albany High School, where he has
changed the trajectory of the lives of these fine young men and women he
leads in the cadet corps program; and

WHEREAS, With a sincere passion for JROTC and its mission to
motivate young people to be better citizens, Major David Erikson is
steadfastly committed to dedicating the remainder of his working years
to helping the young men and women in the Albany High School JROTC
program achieve their maximum potential; and

WHEREAS, Major David Erikson's extraordinary achievements reflect
great credit upon himself, the Unites States Army, and the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the Unites States; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of 25 years,
Elfriede, and their daughter, Patricia, both of whom feel privileged to
be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Major David Erikson upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition by the Robert L. Weininger Memorial V.F.W. Post No.
8692 on April 30, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Major David Erikson.