The New York State Senate

J1380

Senate Resolution No. 1380

BY: Senator LANZA

COMMENDING Staten Island Marine Corps League
Detachment 246 for 73 years of service to community,
country and the Corps, and honoring Sergeant Angel
Mendez posthumously in recognition of the renaming
of the Post as the Sergeant Angel Mendez Detachment

WHEREAS, A great state is only as great as those organizations and
individuals who perform exemplary service on behalf of their community;
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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Staten
Island Marine Corps League Detachment 246 for 73 years of service to
community, country and the Corps, and to honor Sergeant Angel Mendez
posthumously in recognition of the renaming of the Post as the Sergeant
Angel Mendez Detachment during a ceremony on Saturday, April 27, 2019;
and

WHEREAS, In August of 1946, three Marines, John T. O'Brien, Charles
Warner and Ken Strong, all of whom had served in World War II, met to
discuss the formation of a Marine Corps League Detachment; and

WHEREAS, A few informal gatherings generated enough interest to
warrant moving ahead; the Detachment was issued a charter on October 8,
1946, as the Staten Island Marine Corps League Detachment 246, and was
signed by 12 members; and

WHEREAS, From 1965 to 1969, 29 Island Marines lost their lives in
Vietnam, although the War was much longer; in 1965, member Bobby
Thompson was instrumental in leading the drive to erect a fitting
memorial for those who died; and

WHEREAS, Thereafter, the membership of Staten Island Marine Corps
League Detachment 246 slowly increased, surpassing 200 in 1991, which
also marked its 45th Anniversary; at that time, 85 Island Marines died
in service to their country, as well as 50 Detachment members; and

WHEREAS, In 1991, Staten Island Marine Corps League Detachment 246
supported the forces in Desert Storm and assisted with the formation of
the Family Support Group; in 2001, after the country was attacked,
Detachment members helped in the clean-up and family support of the many
casualties; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Angel Mendez was posthumously awarded the Navy
Cross for his courage, bravery and valor during the Vietnam War; and

WHEREAS, It has been widely documented that Sergeant Angel Mendez, a
proud son who lost his life on March 16, 1967, was a true war hero;
raised at Mount Loretto, he joined the Marine Corps in 1964; he was

killed in action protecting his platoon commander, Lieutenant Ronald
Castille, who would go on to become a Justice of the Supreme Court; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
organizations and individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, it is appropriate to publicly proclaim and
commend them for the edification and emulation of others; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Staten Island Marine Corps League Detachment 246 for 73 years of
service to community, country and the Corps, and to honor Sergeant Angel
Mendez posthumously in recognition of the renaming of the Post as the
Sergeant Angel Mendez Detachment; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Sergeant Angel Mendez Detachment.