Senate Resolution No. 3114

BY: Senator MARCHIONE

HONORING Corporal Thomas G. Bower, Sr. upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient 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
significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York,
who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this
country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace
in peace-time, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Corporal
Thomas G. Bower, Sr. upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the
New York State Senate, to be presented at the Columbia County Honor A
Deceased Veteran Ceremony on October 23, 2017; 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, Thomas George Bower, Sr. was born on January 20, 1931, to
Leo and Vera (Baldwin) Bower in Fishkill, New York; growing up in
Livingston and Germantown, he attended and graduated from Germantown
Central School; and

WHEREAS, Thomas G. Bower, Sr. was drafted into the United States
Army on February 11, 1952, in Albany, New York, and received his basic
training in Massachusetts; he also trained as a clerk typist and
attended the Adjutant General School in May of 1952; and

WHEREAS, As a clerk typist, Corporal Thomas G. Bower, Sr. was
assigned to Headquarters Unit Detachment 1, where he worked with senior
field grade command; he served in Korea for a brief time and then the
Hawaiian Islands as a trainer of troops; and

WHEREAS, In the course of his service, Corporal Thomas G. Bower, Sr.
was a part of the Reactionary Disaster Team which was deployed in
response to "Broken Arrow", a military nuclear incident; and

WHEREAS, After his discharge on February 11, 1954, Corporal Thomas
G. Bower, Sr. was transferred to the New York Army Reserves Military
District, where he completed his military obligation; and

WHEREAS, For his courageous service during the Korean War, Thomas G.
Bower, Sr. was awarded the National Defense Medal and the Good Conduct
Medal; and

WHEREAS, Upon his return to his hometown, Corporal Thomas G. Bower,
Sr. met Margaret Steir, and the couple were married on January 30,
1955; together, the couple raised three children; and

WHEREAS, For the next 30 years, Corporal Thomas G. Bower, Sr. was
employed by IBM in the experimental department, and ran a private
business, Thomas Tree Service; he officially retired in 1985; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated to his community, Corporal Thomas G. Bower, Sr.
was an active volunteer with Germantown Boy Scouts Troop 122 serving as
Scout Master and Boy Scout Commissioner; in addition, he held the
position of Commander/County Commander of Germantown American Legion
Post No. 346, and was the Chairman of the Board of Appeal in Germantown;
and

WHEREAS, Corporal Thomas G. Bower, Sr. died on November 18, 2016, at
the age of 85; predeceased by his wife, Margaret, he is survived by his
sons, Thomas, Jr. and David, and his daughter, Pamela; 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, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Corporal Thomas G. Bower, Sr. demonstrated his love for his country and
merits forevermore, the highest respect of his 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 Corporal Thomas G. Bower, Sr. posthumously upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient 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
transmitted to the family of Corporal Thomas G. Bower, Sr.