Honor Major David Erikson

April 30, 2017 WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in this Nation, and the great State of New York, is reflective of the purposeful lives and good works of those patriotic and civic-minded community members who devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its citizenry; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Major David Erikson upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Robert L. Weininger Memorial V.F.W. Post No. 8692, to be celebrated at its 47th Annual Loyalty Day Ceremony on Sunday, April

30, 2017, in Colonie, New York; and WHEREAS, As part of the Loyalty Day, "The Celebration of Patriotism," event, Major David Erikson will be presented the 2016 Commanders Award; and WHEREAS, Selected by the Commander of V.F.W Post No. 8692, the Commanders Award is given annually to either a post member for outstanding service to the post and community, or to a community business for their support of veterans or active service members; and WHEREAS, United States Army Major David Erikson is being recognized with this auspicious award for his lifelong selfless service and sacrifice; and WHEREAS, Born on January 5, 1959, in Port of Spain, Trinidad, David Erikson and his family settled in Albany, New York, in 1963, where he attended St. Theresa of Avila Grade School; and WHEREAS, After graduating from high school in 1976, David Erikson joined the 1-210 Armor Battalion, NYARNG and reported for basic training in April of 1977; while in basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he decided to join the Regular Army; and WHEREAS, In January of 1978, on his 19th birthday, David Erikson reported to C Company 2/63 Armor, Fort Riley, Kansas; and WHEREAS, David Erikson attended both the Primary NCO Academy and the Basic NCO Academy during his three years of enlisted service before being discharged from active duty in December of 1980, having earned the rank of Sergeant; and WHEREAS, During this time, Sergeant David Erikson returned to school and enrolled in ROTC in January of 1981; he was commissioned as a 2LT in Armor in May of 1982, under the early commissioning program; and WHEREAS, In January of 1985, one month after earning his bachelor's degree from Siena College, 2LT David Erikson reported to the Armor Officer Basic course at Fort Knox, Kentucky; in July of the same year, he was assigned to 1-35 AR, 1st Armored Division in Germany, where he spent the next six years serving as a platoon leader, company XO, Battalion S4 and company commander; and WHEREAS, This brave soldier was then deployed to the Gulf with 1-35 Armor, where he served as a tank company commander; upon returning from the Gulf, he was assigned to the International Training Center, Hohenfels, Germany, where he served as an instructor; and WHEREAS, After more than nine years oversees, Commander David Erikson returned to the United States, where he served in various locations before graduating from Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in 2000; and WHEREAS, Awarded an assignment to the ROTC detachment at Siena College, David Erikson officially retired from the esteemed rank of Major on January 1, 2003; and WHEREAS, In September of 2015, Major David Erikson established a highly successful JROTC program at Albany High School, where he has changed the trajectory of the lives of these fine young men and women he leads in the cadet corps program; and WHEREAS, With a sincere passion for JROTC and its mission to motivate young people to be better citizens, Major David Erikson is steadfastly committed to dedicating the remainder of his working years to helping the young men and women in the Albany High School JROTC program achieve their maximum potential; and WHEREAS, Major David Erikson's extraordinary achievements reflect great credit upon himself, the Unites States Army, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the Unites States; and WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of 25 years, Elfriede, and their daughter, Patricia, both of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Major David Erikson upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Robert L. Weininger Memorial V.F.W. Post No.