Honor Paul J. Proper, Sr.

Senate Resolution No. 2187 BY: Senator JORDAN COMMENDING Paul J. Proper, 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 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 peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Paul J. Proper, 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, to be presented at the Columbia County Honor a Veteran Ceremony on September 23, 2019; 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, Paul J. Proper, Sr. was born on October 21, 1930, to Myron and Olia (Pectal) Proper in North Egremont, Massachusetts; growing up in Craryville, New York, he attended Roe Jan Central School and after graduating in June of 1949, he worked as an auto mechanic; and WHEREAS, On January 3, 1951, Paul J. Proper, Sr. enlisted as a Private in the United States Air Force in Albany, New York; and WHEREAS, After basic training in San Antonio, Texas, Paul J. Proper, Sr. was trained at Lackland Air Force Base as an Aircraft Mechanic on bombers and then Aberdeen, Maryland; and WHEREAS, Technical Sergeant Paul J. Proper, Sr. was assigned to duty in Pusan, Korea, in August of 1952, with the 5th Air Force, 78th maintenance squadron; he flew on night missions on the Douglas B-26 bomber as a Flight Mechanic; the B-26s were credited with the destruction of 38,000 vehicles, 406 locomotives, 3,700 railway trucks and seven enemy aircraft on the ground; and WHEREAS, Technical Sergeant Paul J. Proper, Sr. was honorably discharged on December 19, 1954, at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma; and WHEREAS, For his courageous service during the Korean War, Paul J. Proper, Sr. was awarded the Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal; and WHEREAS, Paul J. Proper, Sr. met and married Marjorie E. Decker of Ancramdale, New York, on April 13, 1952, and together they raised four children, Paul, Jr., Rosemarie, David and Jeffrey; and WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, Paul J. Proper, Sr. worked as a Deputy for the Columbia County Sheriff's Department, becoming its first Investigator and then Undersheriff in

1972; in 1977, he was elected Sheriff and served the next 12 years in that capacity, retiring in 1989; furthermore, in 2001, he briefly served as Sheriff; and WHEREAS, Active in his community, Paul J. Proper, Sr. was President/Life member of the New York State Sheriff's Association and was instrumental in building the Columbia County Public Safety Facility in Hudson, New York, which was named in his honor; and WHEREAS, Additionally, Paul J. Proper, Sr. was a member of Clausson-Raught Community Rescue Squad; a Life member of the Copake Fire Company, serving as Assistant Chief and Fire Commissioner; and member of the Hillsdale 612 Free Masons, the Cadby Shutts Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7552, and the Columbia County Korean War Association; moreover, he was the Director of the Columbia County Fair Board for more than 30 years, and a communicant of the West Copake Reformed Church; and WHEREAS, Paul J. Proper, Sr. died on December 20, 2018, at the age of 88, and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Pine Plains, New York; he is survived by his loving wife, four children, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren; 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, Paul J. Proper, 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 commend Paul J. Proper, 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 Paul J. Proper, Sr.