Senate Resolution No. 5943

BY: Senator TEDISCO

COMMENDING Willard Bovee 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

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 peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Willard
Bovee 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, to be celebrated by the Saratoga County Veterans
Service Agency at this month's Honor Our Deceased Veterans Ceremony on
Tuesday, December 18, 2018, at the County Building in Ballston Spa, 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, Born on December 14, 1924, in the Town of Day, Willard
Bovee Sr. was the son of Lester and Carrie Bovee; and

WHEREAS, Willard Bovee Sr. began his service to his country on
November 20, 1942, as a member of the United States Navy; he trained at
the Samson Naval Training Base in New York; and

WHEREAS, Most of his service was in the Pacific Theatre where he
participated in multiple campaigns; he served aboard the USS Belleau
Wood, then CASU SIX (Combat Aircraft Service Unit) which worked to
quickly render new military airfields operational and keep land based
combat aircraft maintained and repaired, and later the USS Shamrock Bay;
and

WHEREAS, For his courageous service during World War II, Willard
Bovee Sr. was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal with 5 Battle
Stars, the American Theater Medal, and the Victory Medal; he was
honorably discharged with the rank of Seaman First Class on March 2,
1946; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, Willard Bovee
Sr. returned home and, the following year, married the former Marie
Scoville in Corinth, New York; together they were the proud parents of
six children; and

WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of Corinth, Willard Bovee Sr. worked
for the International Paper Mill in Corinth for 43 years before retiring
in 1983; and

WHEREAS, Active in his community, Willard Bovee Sr. was a member of
International Papers Quarter Century Club, and the William J. Varney
American Legion Post No. 862 in Lake Luzerne, New York; and

WHEREAS, Willard Bovee Sr. died on January 26, 2000, at the age of
75; 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,
Willard Bovee 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
commend Willard Bovee 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 Willard Bovee Sr.