Honor Fire Chief Retirement

Senate Resolution No. 1789 BY: Senator HELMING COMMENDING Fire Chief Gerald J. VanDeWalle upon the occasion of his retirement after 40 years of dedicated service to the Newark Volunteer Fire Department WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and indebted to our noble volunteer firefighters who exhibit courage and bravery every day in the course of their duties; and WHEREAS, Volunteer Firefighters exemplify the power of human compassion and the strength of the American spirit through actions of the most heroic magnitude; their sacrifices and their selfless dedication merit tribute and recognition by all citizens of this great country; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Fire Chief Gerald J. VanDeWalle upon the occasion of his retirement after 40 years of dedicated service to the Newark Volunteer Fire Department to be celebrated on Sunday, May 21, 2017, at Captain Jack's in Sodus Point, New York; and WHEREAS, Gerald J. VanDeWalle was born on September 30, 1948, to Henry and Julianna VanDeWalle; and WHEREAS, Upon his retirement from Garlock Sealing Technologies, Gerald J. VanDeWall worked at VanDeWalle Lawn Care; dedicated to his faith, he is an active member of the Woodlane Community Church; and WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride, valor, and integrity; these respected volunteers are often the first to respond to an emergency, whether the emergency is a fire, transportation accident, natural disaster, act of terrorism, medical crisis, or spill of hazardous materials; and WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Christine; his son, Brian; and his two grandchildren, Darryl and Jake, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his accomplishments; and WHEREAS, It takes a special dedication, a strong desire to help others and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time with family and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need; Gerald J. VanDeWalle is such a firefighter; throughout his 40 years of devoted service, this volunteer heroically performed, above and beyond the call of duty, those responsibilities which define the task of fire protection; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Fire Chief Gerald J. VanDeWalle upon the occasion of his retirement after 40 years of dedicated service to the Newark Volunteer Fire Department; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Fire Chief Gerald J. VanDeWalle.