Honor Fallen Soldier With Medal

Senate Resolution No. 2207 BY: Senator GRIFFO COMMENDING Private First Class Gregory P. Huxley Jr. 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 Private First Class Gregory P. Huxley Jr. 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, Born to Mary and Gregory Huxley, Sr., Gregory P. Huxley Jr. grew up in a loving family which included two sisters, Nicole and Rebecca, and one brother, Bernard; after graduating from Adirondack High School, he enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country as a member of B Company, 3rd Battalion, 17th Engineer Battalion during the Iraq War; and WHEREAS, Unfortunately, Private First Class Gregory P. Huxley Jr. made the ultimate sacrifice on April 6, 2003, becoming the first casualty from Central New York in the Iraq War; and WHEREAS, Private First Class Gregory P. Huxley Jr. was truly loved by many and will always be remembered as a joyful, kind, young man who always tried to make everyone happy; he touched so many lives, even those who never met him; and WHEREAS, Private First Class Gregory P. Huxley Jr. was respectfully met at the Syracuse Airport by his cherished family and 30 police officers who lined the tarmac; this 19 year-old soldier was then led to his hometown of Boonville, New York, by eight Syracuse Police Department motorcycles, followed by the family and 10 New York State Police and Syracuse Police cars; and WHEREAS, Every intersection from Syracuse to Boonville was met by a New York State Trooper standing at attention and saluting the fallen soldier and his family; when the solemn procession arrived in Boonville, the church bells began ringing and hundreds of people lined the street holding flags and saluting this fallen hero; 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, Private First Class Gregory P. Huxley Jr. 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 Private First Class Gregory P. Huxley Jr. 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 Private First Class Gregory P. Huxley Jr.