Honor Veteran with Liberty Medal

Senate Resolution No. 3114 BY: Senator MARCHIONE HONORING Corporal Thomas G. Bower, Sr. 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, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and 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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Corporal Thomas G. Bower, Sr. 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, to be presented at the Columbia County Honor A Deceased Veteran Ceremony on October 23, 2017; 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, Thomas George Bower, Sr. was born on January 20, 1931, to Leo and Vera (Baldwin) Bower in Fishkill, New York; growing up in Livingston and Germantown, he attended and graduated from Germantown Central School; and WHEREAS, Thomas G. Bower, Sr. was drafted into the United States Army on February 11, 1952, in Albany, New York, and received his basic training in Massachusetts; he also trained as a clerk typist and attended the Adjutant General School in May of 1952; and WHEREAS, As a clerk typist, Corporal Thomas G. Bower, Sr. was assigned to Headquarters Unit Detachment 1, where he worked with senior field grade command; he served in Korea for a brief time and then the Hawaiian Islands as a trainer of troops; and WHEREAS, In the course of his service, Corporal Thomas G. Bower, Sr. was a part of the Reactionary Disaster Team which was deployed in response to "Broken Arrow", a military nuclear incident; and WHEREAS, After his discharge on February 11, 1954, Corporal Thomas G. Bower, Sr. was transferred to the New York Army Reserves Military District, where he completed his military obligation; and WHEREAS, For his courageous service during the Korean War, Thomas G. Bower, Sr. was awarded the National Defense Medal and the Good Conduct Medal; and WHEREAS, Upon his return to his hometown, Corporal Thomas G. Bower, Sr. met Margaret Steir, and the couple were married on January 30,

1955; together, the couple raised three children; and WHEREAS, For the next 30 years, Corporal Thomas G. Bower, Sr. was employed by IBM in the experimental department, and ran a private business, Thomas Tree Service; he officially retired in 1985; and WHEREAS, Dedicated to his community, Corporal Thomas G. Bower, Sr. was an active volunteer with Germantown Boy Scouts Troop 122 serving as Scout Master and Boy Scout Commissioner; in addition, he held the position of Commander/County Commander of Germantown American Legion Post No. 346, and was the Chairman of the Board of Appeal in Germantown; and WHEREAS, Corporal Thomas G. Bower, Sr. died on November 18, 2016, at the age of 85; predeceased by his wife, Margaret, he is survived by his sons, Thomas, Jr. and David, and his daughter, Pamela; 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, Corporal Thomas G. Bower, Sr. 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 honor Corporal Thomas G. Bower, Sr. posthumously 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 the family of Corporal Thomas G. Bower, Sr.