Michael L. Mayne

Corporal Michael L. Mayne, 21, of Burlington Flats, proudly served in the
United States Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was assigned to the
5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, a
unit of the 25th Infantry Division based at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Corporal Mayne tragically lost his life, along with two other American soldiers
and a translator on February 23, 2009, in Balad, Iraq when insurgents attacked
his unit using small arms fire.

Prior to his service to his country, Corporal Mayne had already left an indelible
mark on his hometown that will last for generations to come.

On Memorial Day 2003, he unveiled a very special Eagle Scout project in
Memorial Park in his hometown of Burlington Flats – flagpoles for each branch
of the military. To this day, flags representing the Army, Navy, Air Force,
Marines, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and the United States continue to
wave. A memorial to Corporal Mayne has since been installed underneath the
flags he so proudly conceived and built.

A 2006 graduate of Edmeston Central School, he was known for his sense
of humor and friendly nature. He knew from a young age that he wanted to
follow in the footsteps of his grandfather and serve his nation in the military.
He joined the Army shortly after his high school graduation. The Otsego
Northern Catskills BOCES established a scholarship in his name for students
in the natural resources and welding programs or who planned to enlist in the
military.

Corporal Mayne’s courageous military service earned him a number of honors
including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal of Valor, Global War on Terror
Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon,
Combat Action Badge, and Iraq Service Ribbon.

Senator Seward presented Corporal Mayne’s parents Cathy and Lee with the
New York State Senate Liberty Medal posthumously in 2009.

Corporal Michael Mayne exhibited a steadfast commitment to our nation and
made the ultimate sacrifice. His service in uniform and his contributions to his
community will never be forgotten.