Honor Joseph T. Fraccola

Senate Resolution No. 1425 BY: Senator GRIFFO HONORING Joseph T. Fraccola upon the occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal of the New Hartford Memorial Day Parade on May 27, 2019 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 in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Joseph T. Fraccola upon the occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal of the New Hartford Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 27, 2019; 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 fitting choice for Grand Marshal of New Hartford's Annual Memorial Day Parade, Joseph T. Fraccola proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army during the Vietnam War; and WHEREAS, For his meritorious service, Specialist 5 Joseph T. Fraccola was the recipient of the Purple Heart for wounds received during an enemy rocket attack on June 7, 1969, while serving with the 1st Logistical Command, Company E, 5th Maintenance Battalion, Director Support; after returning from Vietnam, he was assigned to Service Battery 14th Field Artillery Company in Fort Sill, Oklahoma; and WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, Joseph T. Fraccola worked for the United States Postal Service in Utica, New York, for over 36 years, retiring in 2005; throughout his tenure, he was involved in many United States postage veterans' stamp related events, making presentations and speaking to many veterans' organizations and schools; and WHEREAS, Devoted to his fellow veterans, Joseph T. Fraccola served as co-Chair of the Utica Post Office Veterans' Committee, and was instrumental in the placement of the All American Veterans' Monument and brick walkway honoring all veterans; he also petitioned Congress to rename two of the area's post offices for local soldiers killed in Iraq, and assisted with the placement of the Gold Star Mothers' Monument at the Utica Post Office; and WHEREAS, In 2004, Joseph T. Fraccola reactivated the local CNY Chapter 490 Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), as Commander, he helped make the Utica Comets Hockey the first Purple Heart Hockey Club in the Nation; and WHEREAS, This remarkable patriot was also instrumental in establishing Utica's Purple Heart Memorial Park and Memorial, and organizing an Annual Well-Wish Visit to Walter Reed Army Hospital, Fishers Houses and Arlington Cemetery; and WHEREAS, Joseph T. Fraccola served on former Congressmen's Veterans Advisory Committee, Utica's Annual Memorial Day Parade and Wreath Laying Committee, and proudly laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; and WHEREAS, As a member of the Oneida County World War II Veterans Trip Committee, he helped organize a trip to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor for local Purple Heart Recipient's and Gold Star Families, and is a volunteer for Honor Flight Syracuse; and WHEREAS, Joseph T. Fraccola was instrumental in establishing the 22nd Congressional New York District as the first Purple Heart Congressional District in the Nation, and led the way for the Cities of Utica and Rome, and several counties to become Purple Heart Counties and Cities; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, Joseph T. Fraccola is an active member of numerous local veterans and community organizations; and WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to his mission, Joseph T. Fraccola was the recipient of numerous awards and accolades for his work with MOPH; he also received the 2018 Community Champion Award by the Parkway Center of Utica, and two Distinguished Citizenship Awards by BPOE Utica Elks Lodge 33; and WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of 46 years, Lorraine; their daughter, Kristen, and son-in-law, Matt; and their granddaughter, Isabella; all of whom have shown him love and support and rejoice in his many achievements; 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 Joseph T. Fraccola upon the occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal of the New Hartford Memorial Day Parade on May 27, 2019; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Joseph T. Fraccola.