Honor Sgt. Parker's Sacrifice

Senate Resolution No. 2206 BY: Senator GRIFFO COMMENDING Sergeant Elisha R. Parker 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 Sergeant Elisha R. Parker 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 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, Elisha R. Parker, affectionately known as Eli, was a resident of Taberg, New York, and the devoted son of Renny and Donna (Storms) Parker of Camden, New York; and WHEREAS, He graduated from Camden Central High School in 2002, and enlisted in the Marine Corp.; Eli loved the Marine Corp. and excelled in all he did; while in school, he demonstrated his athletic ability being active in cross country and track, Pop Warner Football, boxing, soccer, and Nordic skiing, as well as Little League baseball; and WHEREAS, A faithful Christian, Elisha R. Parker touched a lot of young people's hearts as a member of the Church's Youth Ministry; he approached life with humor and fierce loyalty, and only wanted to help others; and WHEREAS, Sergeant Elisha R. Parker served his country as a member of the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California; and WHEREAS, While serving as a Combat Engineer on his third tour of duty in Iraq, 21 year-old Sergeant Eli R. Parker gave the ultimate sacrifice on May 4, 2006, after being mortally wounded while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Anbar Province, Iraq; and WHEREAS, In addition to his parents, Sergeant Elisha R. Parker is survived by his sister, Brianna; two brothers, Isaiah and Andrew; and his maternal grandparents, Richard and Virginia Storms; as well as many extended family members and friends; 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, Sergeant Elisha R. Parker 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 Sergeant Elisha R. Parker 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 Sergeant Elisha R. Parker.