Senate Resolution No. 2872

BY: Senator RITCHIE

COMMENDING Command Sergeant Major Samuel J. Roark,
distinguished soldier and devoted public servant to
his community and country, as he completes his
service at Fort Drum

WHEREAS, Individuals who dedicate their lives to military service
merit the commendation and applause of all citizens for their commitment
to the preservation of American freedom; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Command
Sergeant Major Samuel J. Roark, distinguished soldier and devoted public
servant to his community and country, as he completes his service at
Fort Drum near Watertown, New York, in Jefferson County; his official
last day will be on Wednesday, March 18, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Command Sergeant Major Samuel J. Roark joined the United
States Military as a cavalry scout in 1989, and completed One Station
Unit Training at Fort Knox in Kentucky; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his career thus far, Command Sergeant Major
Samuel J. Roark has been deployed to Colorado, Texas, Georgia, South
Carolina, Hawaii, Kansas, and New York, and abroad in Iraq, Korea, and
Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, During his service, Command Sergeant Major Samuel J. Roark
earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Excelsior College and a
Master's degree in Leadership and Management from Webster University;
and

WHEREAS, Command Sergeant Major Samuel J. Roark is also a graduate
of the Bradley Master Gunner Course and each of the United States Army's
Professional Education Schools, including the United States Army
Sergeant Major Academy; and

WHEREAS, Command Sergeant Major Samuel J. Roark first came to Fort
Drum and the North Country in October of 2017; throughout his tenure, he
served as a senior manager responsible for developing mid-level managers
and leaders capable of accomplishing multiple global missions; and

WHEREAS, In addition to these duties, Command Sergeant Major Samuel
J. Roark led overseas training missions, professional development and
human resource functions; and

WHEREAS, Under the helm of the chief executive officer of the
reservation, Command Sergeant Major Samuel J. Roark also served as a
garrison manager and was responsible for the personnel of the 10th
Mountain Division, Light Infantry; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his distinguished military career, Command
Sergeant Major Samuel J. Roark has been the recipient of numerous awards
including the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the
Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Navy

Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan
Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal and many more; and

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York,
who have served so faithfully and courageously in wars in which our
Nation's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace
during peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body;
and

WHEREAS, The dedication and sacrifices of our military personnel
ensure our continued role as a Nation which embodies the ideals of
democracy, and is a defender of liberty for peoples throughout the
world; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Command Sergeant Major Samuel J. Roark has demonstrated his love for his
country and merits forevermore, the highest respect of his State and
Nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize the completion of service at Fort Drum for Command Sergeant
Major Samuel J. Roark and the significant impact he has had on the North
Country, our State, our Nation and the world; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Command Sergeant Major Samuel J. Roark.