Honor Charles F. Wanits

Senate Resolution No. 2360 BY: Senator TEDISCO COMMENDING Charles F. Wanits 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 Charles F. Wanits 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; this momentous occasion will be celebrated at the Saratoga County Honor Our Deceased Veterans Ceremony to be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at the Saratoga County Building in Ballston Spa, New York; and 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, Charles F. Wanits was born on December 16, 1952, in Rockville Centre, New York, to Frank and Alice Wanits; during his youth, his family relocated to Schroon Lake, New York, where he attended Schroon Lake High School and developed the values of hard work, integrity, and service that would guide him throughout his life; and WHEREAS, Answering the call of duty, Charles F. Wanits enlisted in the United States Air Force on September 14, 1971, and trained as a Weapons Mechanic; and WHEREAS, During his honorable military service, Charles F. Wanits served at air bases in Thailand in support of operations during the Vietnam War and was later assigned to the 81st Munitions Maintenance Squadron in England; he concluded his military service at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey; and WHEREAS, On July 6, 1975, Charles F. Wanits was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force with the rank of Sergeant, having faithfully served his nation with distinction and professionalism; and WHEREAS, In recognition of his dedicated military service, Sergeant Charles F. Wanits was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal; and WHEREAS, Following his military service, Charles F. Wanits continued to contribute to the security and defense of the Nation through his employment as a Quality Control Specialist at the Watervliet Arsenal, where he served with distinction until his retirement; and WHEREAS, Demonstrating remarkable ingenuity and technical expertise, Charles F. Wanits was credited in 1994 with the invention of the Bore Obstruction Detection Indicator, a device positioned on the muzzle end of a gun bore to indicate whether the bore is free from obstruction after a round has been loaded, enhancing safety and operational readiness; and WHEREAS, In 1989, Charles F. Wanits married the love of his life, Lisa, and together they raised their daughter, Lyndsey; he was a devoted husband and father who cherished time with his family; and WHEREAS, Charles F. Wanits found great enjoyment in fishing and was an enthusiastic fan of football and NASCAR, pursuits that reflected his appreciation for camaraderie, competition, and the outdoors; and WHEREAS, A resident of the Town of Milton, Charles F. Wanits earned the admiration and respect of all who knew him through his quiet dedication, strong work ethic, and steadfast commitment to both country and community; and WHEREAS, Charles F. Wanits passed away on July 2, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of honorable military service, professional accomplishment, innovation, and devotion to family; 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 risked 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, Charles F. Wanits 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 Charles F. Wanits posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the New York State Senate 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 Charles F. Wanits.