Assembly Resolution No. 2239

BY: M. of A. Woerner

COMMEMORATING the 25th Anniversary of the Gerald
B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in
Schuylerville, New York on July 9, 2024

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize
milestones of significance which provide a vital service to veterans
throughout the communities of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga
National Cemetery in Schuylerville, New York on Tuesday, July 9, 2024;
and

WHEREAS, Dedicated on July 9, 1999, as Saratoga National Cemetery,
The Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery is New York State's
sixth national veteran's cemetery and the 116th in the United States;
and

WHEREAS, The first phase of this National Cemetery's construction
encompassed 60 acres of the 351-acre cemetery and included 5,000
gravesites, 2,000 lawn crypts, 1,500 columbaria niches and 700 garden
niches for cremated remains; at full capacity, the cemetery can provide
burial space for 175,500 veterans and eligible dependents; and

WHEREAS, On January 24, 2002, President George W. Bush signed
legislation renaming Saratoga National Cemetery as the Gerald B.H.
Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery after Congressman Solomon, who was
known as the champion of veterans' causes; and

WHEREAS, Over the past two years, the Saratoga National Cemetery
Veteran Memorial Tree Program took root, replanting trees throughout the
cemetery that have been lost due to weather and age while providing
families of veterans the opportunity to memorialize their loved one with
a living, growing memorial; and

WHEREAS, In honor of this upcoming anniversary, the cemetery's
Memorial Tree Program has designated section 20 as the site of the 25th
Anniversary Commemorative Oak Grove, a space which holds significant
meaning as the gravesite of Congressman Gerald B. H. Solomon; and

WHEREAS, The Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery has an
Honor Guard Association, which consists of five squads of 12-18
volunteers each to ensure that every veteran receives a proper military
burial service at no cost; and

WHEREAS, There are three Medal of Honor recipients buried or
memorialized at this National Cemetery; they are: Sergeant Thomas A.
Barker (World War II veteran); Technical Sergeant Peter J. Dalessandro
(former New York State Senator and World War II veteran): and Specialist
Fourth Class Raymond R. Wright (Vietnam veteran); and

WHEREAS, There are several monuments and memorials located on the
grounds of the Saratoga National Cemetery, including: the ship's bell
from the U.S.S. Saratoga CV-3 installed in 1999, and a granite and
bronze memorial erected on October 19, 2002, in honor of the U.S.
Submarine Veterans and AMVETS (American Veterans) donated the carillon
in 1999; and

WHEREAS, For 25 years, the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National
Cemetery has served as a final resting place for many who embodied a
service above self-persona in service to this Nation, with a staff and
board of directors that have been steadfast in maintaining and enhancing
the beauty of these grounds; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to observe events
which symbolize the historical, social, and cultural development of this
great Empire State and embody the principles upon which this Nation was
founded, and honor those uniformed soldiers who served to protect its
freedom; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga
National Cemetery in Schuylerville, New York on July 9, 2024; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Scott Lamb, Director; members of his Staff; members of
the Honor Guard; and members of the Board of Directors of the Gerald B.
H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.