Honor Rockland Female Veteran

2017 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 peace-time, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commend those who have served in times of active conflict, as well as those who have served in times of peace; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Senior Chief Mary E. Cavanagh upon the occasion of being named the 2017 Rockland Female Veteran of the Year by Rockland County on Thursday,

March 2, 2017; this momentous occasion marked the start of Women's History Month and the beginning of Rockland County's Women's Initiative; and WHEREAS, The esteemed Veteran of the Year Award recognizes individuals who have served honorably in the military, as well as those who have contributed to the betterment of their community after being discharged; and WHEREAS, Senior Chief Mary E. Cavanagh grew up in Garnerville, New York, and graduated from North Rockland High School before beginning a long and distinguished career with the United States Navy; and WHEREAS, As a Cryptologic Technician, Senior Chief Mary E. Cavanagh was stationed in Florida, Spain, the Mediterranean, Guam and back to Washington, D.C., where her final assignment was with the National Military Joint Intelligence Center at the Pentagon; and WHEREAS, Throughout her career, Senior Chief Mary E. Cavanagh achieved many firsts; in 1982, she was part of the first contingent of women to be permanently assigned to the Naval Support facility Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, Senior Chief Mary E. Cavanagh earned numerous awards and accolades for her meritorious service including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal with three gold stars, the Good Conduct Award with four bronze stars, Expert Rifle, Expert Pistol and various other campaign medals and ribbons; in addition, she is authorized to wear the Joint Chiefs of Staff Badge and the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Insignia; and WHEREAS, Senior Chief Mary E. Cavanagh proudly served her country with distinction and honor as a member of the United States Navy, where she broke many gender barriers; today, she serves as a role model for young people, male and female, as the Director of the North Rockland High School Navy Junior ROTC program; and WHEREAS, In addition to this leadership role, Senior Chief Mary E. Cavanagh teaches ROTC cadets at the Naval Leadership and Sail Training Academy in Newport, Rhode Island; and WHEREAS, Through Senior Chief Mary E. Cavanagh's efforts, the North Rockland Navy Junior ROTC has spent 28,000 hours supporting its school and successfully completed over 40,000 hours of community service, fostering a connection between the North Rockland school district and the Rockland veteran community; and WHEREAS, Under Senior Chief Mary E. Cavanagh's luminous leadership, the North Rockland Navy Junior ROTC was recognized as a Distinguished Unit with Academic Honors in 2015; and WHEREAS, Having exhibited her patriotism both at home and abroad, Mary E. Cavanagh has demonstrated her love for her country and merits forevermore, the highest respect of her 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 Senior Chief Mary E. Cavanagh upon the occasion of being named the 2017 Rockland Female Veteran of the Year by Rockland County; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Senior Chief Mary E. Cavanagh.