Honor Captain Orlan With Medal

Senate Resolution No. 5011 BY: Senator GOLDEN COMMENDING Captain Samuel L. Orlan 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 commend Samuel L. Orlan 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 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, Samuel L. Orlan was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised primarily on Long Island in Commack, New York; and WHEREAS, In 2008, Samuel L. Orlan graduated from Norwich University, the Military College of Vermont; as a ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate, he commissioned as a United States Army Second Lieutenant in the Armor Branch; and WHEREAS, Samuel L. Orlan was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky; he was deployed with 1-75 CAV in 2010 as a Scout Platoon Leader to the Zhari District of Kandahar, Afghanistan; and WHEREAS, After being wounded in action, Samuel L. Orlan transitioned to the role of Assistant Operations Officer where he served as his unit's Liaison Officer to higher headquarters; following the deployment, Samuel continued to serve as the primary Assistant Operations Officer until he assumed duties as the Squadron Intelligence Officer; and WHEREAS, In 2013, Officer Samuel L. Orlan was medically retired as a Captain; for his meritorious service, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Badge; and WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, Samuel L. Orlan received his Master of Public Administration degree from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University in 2016; he also holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in Security Studies from the University's Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism; and WHEREAS, Samuel L. Orlan was then hired by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey into the inaugural class of Operations Fellows, and assigned to the Tunnels, Bridges and Terminals Department; after rotational assignments at the Holland Tunnel and the George Washington Bridge and Bus Station, he was named Supervisor of Operations for the Port Authority Bus Terminal; and WHEREAS, Dedicated to his fellow man, woman and child, Samuel L. Orlan was involved in event planning and coordination for the 2017 Month of Service as part of Remembrance Through Renewal, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's largest annual community service initiative; and WHEREAS, Samuel L. Orlan is also a founding member and Vice President of the Port Authority Veterans Association (PAVA), the newest agency Employee Resource Group (ERG); PAVA diligently works to foster an active community among Port Authority professionals, military veterans and supportive colleagues alike, and lead agency efforts to provide support to all veteran, retired, active duty, and reserve members of the United States Armed Forces; 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, Captain Samuel L. Orlan 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 commend Captain Samuel L. Orlan 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 Captain Samuel L. Orlan.