J1304
Sponsored By
Pete Harckham
(D, WF) 40th Senate District
text
J1304
Senate Resolution No. 1304
BY: Senator HARCKHAM
COMMENDING John Fratangelo 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 John
Fratangelo 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
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 in the Bronx, New York on September 1, 1947, John
Fratangelo graduated from De Witt Clinton High School in 1965, and
worked as a plumber until he was drafted by the Army in 1966, completing
his basic training for both Basic and AIT at Fort Jackson, South
Carolina; and
WHEREAS, John Fratangelo proudly served his country as a member of
the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1966 until 1968; and
WHEREAS, Serving with the First Infantry Division while stationed in
Vietnam, John Fratangelo sustained gunshot wounds while retrieving five
fellow squad members who were wounded in an ambush during a patrol; and
WHEREAS, For these heroic actions which took place on October 4,
1967, John Fratangelo received the Purple Heart and the Silver Star, the
third-highest military combat decoration awarded for gallantry in
action; and
WHEREAS, This courageous man was then hospitalized for five months
following the event and eventually made Sergeant E-5 before being
discharged on November 15, 1968; and
WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, John
Fratangelo joined the Local No. 2 Plumber's Union and went through five
years of Plumbing Apprenticeship before working in New York City for
five years; in 1977, he went on to work for General Motors in Tarrytown,
until the plant's closure in 1997; and
WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his country,
John Fratangelo continues to give tirelessly of his time and energies to
several veteran organizations; he currently serves as the Junior Vice
Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 21 of
Westchester and Putnam Counties and is also a member of the Disabled
American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Vietnam Veterans of
America, the American Legion and Together We Served; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, John Fratangelo recently published a book he
began writing in 1970 titled, The Last Goodbye, which is a candid
first-hand account of his service in the Vietnam War, and a deeply
personal account of the challenges he faced upon his return to civilian
life; the book is dedicated to his cousin Tony who died in Vietnam; 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,
John Fratangelo 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 John Fratangelo 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 John Fratangelo.
actions
-
15 / Sep / 2021
- REFERRED TO FINANCE
-
11 / Jan / 2022
- REPORTED TO CALENDAR FOR CONSIDERATION
-
11 / Jan / 2022
- ADOPTED
Resolution Details
- Law Section:
- Resolutions, Legislative
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