Honor Elmer Budd Parade Marshal

Senate Resolution No. 5375 BY: Senator BONACIC HONORING Elmer Budd upon the occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal of the Goshen Memorial Day Parade on May 28, 2018 WHEREAS, Each and every city, town, village and hamlet within its borders resonates with the rich and noble history of New York State and this nation; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and commend events which symbolize the historical, social and cultural development of this great State and embody the spirit of the principles upon which this nation was founded, and to applaud individuals who have dedicated their life's work in support and furtherance of those principles; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Elmer Budd upon the occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal of the Goshen Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 28, 2018; and WHEREAS, On Memorial Day, observed annually on the last Monday of the month of May, we honor those Americans who gave their lives in defense of their country, whether in the Civil War which divided our nation or in times of war since that time, and in times of peace, in police actions and minor skirmishes, in peacekeeping roles and in missions to foreign lands to uphold the cherished principles of liberty and democracy upon which our grand Republic was founded; and WHEREAS, A 76-year resident of Goshen, New York, Elmer Budd has been the quintessential volunteer, devoting most of his waking hours to the Goshen Fire Department where he has served since graduating from Goshen High School; and WHEREAS, After his first four years rising through the ranks with the Goshen Fire Department, Elmer Budd left Goshen to respond to the draft, first as an Advanced Combat Medic and a tour in western Germany as part of the 56th Medical Battalion in the Advanced Operations section; and WHEREAS, In 1965, Elmer Budd's tour was extended for an additional year, taking him to MACV headquarters in Saigon, South Vietnam; and WHEREAS, Elmer Budd credits his education at Goshen High School with keeping him safe during his years of service; as one of the few servicemen in the battalion who could touch-type, he found himself putting those skills to use more often than what he learned in medic school; and WHEREAS, This brave soldier was discharged in 1966, with the esteemed rank of Specialist-5; he was awarded the Joint Services Commendation Medal for his valiant military service; and WHEREAS, Since that time, Elmer Budd has devoted his life to serving Goshen at the local, county and state levels; he has served his beloved community in several capacities, including as District Chief, County Fire Investigator, New York State Fire Instructor and Deputy Fire Coordinator; and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individual for the benefit of others which Elmer Budd has displayed throughout his life; and WHEREAS, As we observe and remember our deceased veterans on Memorial Day, we recall their brave and noble deeds which have served to maintain our most precious and cherished freedoms and honor those who continue to work diligently to support and sustain them; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Elmer Budd upon the occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal of the Goshen Memorial Day Parade on May 28, 2018; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Elmer Budd.