Assembly Resolution No. 2051

BY: M. of A. Maher

CONGRATULATING Honor Flight Network upon the
occasion of serving over 20,000 veterans in 2023

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York,
who have served so faithfully and courageously in wars in which our
Nation's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace
during peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body;
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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate the
national honor flight network for serving over 20,000 veterans in 2023,
taking them on the flight of a lifetime, including ten honor flight hubs
in the great state of New York which will be celebrated as part of Honor
Flight Day on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at the Capitol in Albany; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body gives special recognition to Patriot
Flight, a local chapter of Honor Flight, who on this day, Wednesday,
April 17, will serve it's 2,000th veteran as part of their honor flight
program, taking off out of the Capital Region; and

WHEREAS, Honor Flights are an opportunity to recognize and thank the
Americans who secured our freedom by bringing them to the Nation's
capital to see the memorials that commemorate their service, giving them
a hero's welcome every step of the way; and

WHEREAS, Established in 2005 by Jeff Miller and Earl Morse, Honor
Flight Network is a national nonprofit organization comprised of
independent hubs working together to achieve the Honor Flight mission;
our Nation's meritorious veterans always travel free of charge, thanks
to generous donations to this vital non-profit organization; and

WHEREAS, Participation in an Honor Flight trip gives veterans the
opportunity to share this momentous occasion with other comrades,
remember the fallen, and share their stories and experiences with other
veterans; and

WHEREAS, Currently, Honor Flight Network commends those who served
during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and veterans of
any service era who are critically ill; and

WHEREAS, Each year, the Honor Flight Network helps make it possible
for veterans to travel to Washington D.C.; since its inception,
approximately 275,000 veterans from all services from more than 130
locations across the country have taken the flight of a lifetime; and

WHEREAS, In New York State alone, more than 5,000 members of our
armed services have fulfilled their wish of visiting our Nation's

capital and all its sites and memorials honoring our country's great
history; and

WHEREAS, The success of the Honor Flight Network is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its Chief Executive Director Meredith
Rosenbeck, her staff, and countless volunteers, whose involvement is,
and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an
unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in
all endeavors on behalf of the institution and the community it serves;
and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited their patriotism both at home and abroad,
these brave men and women of our military have demonstrated their love
for their country and merit forevermore, the highest respect of their
State and Nation; and

WHEREAS, The dedicated volunteers and organizers of New York State's
hubs which include: Honor Flight Long Island, Big Apple Honor Flight,
Hudson Valley Honor Flight, Patriot Flight Albany, Leatherstocking Honor
Flight, Honor Flight Syracuse, Twin Tiers Honor Flight, Buffalo Honor
Flight, Honor Flight Rochester, and North Country Honor Flight, deserve
just praise and recognition by all citizens of this great State and
Nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulating Honor Flight Network upon the occasion of serving over
20,000 veterans in 2023; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Meredith Rosenbeck, Chief Executive Officer, Honor Flight
Network, and each of the ten honor flight hubs in the State of New York.