LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the National Warplane Museum in Gene-
seo, New York, upon the occasion of its participation in the observance
of the 70th Anniversary of D-Day in June 2014, in Normandy, France,
including a "Return to Normandy Mission" with its restored World War II
plane "Whiskey 7"

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved with great respect and reverent
esteem to pay tribute to the men and women who so courageously and hero-
ically serve and have served in the Armed Forces of the United States;
and
WHEREAS, Members and former 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 preserva-
tion of peace in peace-time, deserve a special salute from this Legisla-
tive Body; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo, New York, upon the occasion of
its participation in the observance of the 70th Anniversary of D-Day in
June 2014, in Normandy, France, including a "Return to Normandy Mission"
with its restored World War II plane "Whiskey 7"; and
WHEREAS, D-Day, June 6, 1944, began the start of the Battle of Norman-
dy, which lasted from June 1944 to August 1944, and resulted in the
Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany's control; and
WHEREAS, On D-Day, over 156,000 American, British, and Canadian forces
landed on five beaches along a 50 mile stretch of the heavily fortified
coast of France's Normandy region; by late August 1944, all of northern
France had been liberated, and by the following spring the Allies had
defeated the Germans; and
WHEREAS, The National Warplane Museum, founded in 1994, is dedicated
to the restoration, preservation, display, and flight of aircraft of the
World War II and Korean War eras, as well as the recognition of all
United States military personnel for their service and sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, The Return to Normandy Mission will honor the members of the
greatest generation who served their country during World War II; and
WHEREAS, Whiskey 7 is a World War II-era Douglas C-47 airplane which
is housed at the National Warplane Museum; it was the lead ship of the
37th Troop Carrier Squadron, which dropped elements of the 82nd Airborne
Division near St. Mere Eglise, France, in the early hours of June 6,
1944, D-Day; and
WHEREAS, At the invitation of the French government, Whiskey 7 will
participate in the 70th Anniversary commemorations by dropping members
of the Liberty Jump Team over the original D-Day drop zones at St. Mere
Eglise, France; and
WHEREAS, Whiskey 7, the only C-47 flying in the D-Day commemorations
from the United States, will fly to France by way of Labrador, Green-
land, Iceland, Scotland, and Germany, each leg approximately 5 1/2 to 7
hours; and
WHEREAS, The Whiskey 7 Flight Crew is comprised of: Captain Christo-
pher Clyde Pohlhemus, Chief Pilot, Carmichaels, Pennsylvania; Captain
John Stewart Lindsay, Pilot, Freeport, Pennsylvania; Captain Naomi
Wolcott Wadsworth, Pilot, Geneseo, New York; Michael Alvin Lindsay, Crew
Chief, Castile, New York; and Craig Perkins Wadsworth, Chief of Mainte-
nance, Geneseo, New York; and
WHEREAS, Leslie P. Cruise, one of the original 21 members of the para-
trooper team that jumped from Whiskey 7 on D-Day, will participate in
the celebration in Normandy, France; he raised the American flag at St.

Mere Eglise, France, during its liberation on D-Day and will once again
proudly raise the Stars and Stripes during the 70th Anniversary obser-
vance ceremony at the Iron Mike Monument in St. Mere Eglise, France; and
WHEREAS, Leslie P. Cruise will also be presented with the French
Legion of Honor Medal by Mayor Jacque Laurent in Quiniville, France; and
WHEREAS, The National Warplane Museum will be presenting French offi-
cials at the celebration with a New York State flag, which was flown
over the New York State Capitol Building on January 30, 2014, from
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's office on behalf of this great Empire State;
and
WHEREAS, This solemn and auspicious occasion presents a unique oppor-
tunity for this Legislative Body to remember, honor and pay tribute to
the men and women who so courageously and heroically served in the Armed
Forces of the United States during the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944;
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 the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo, New York, upon the
occasion of its participation in the observance of the 70th Anniversary
of D-Day in June 2014, in Normandy, France, including a "Return to
Normandy Mission" with its restored World War II plane "Whiskey 7"; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo, New York, and Leslie
P. Cruise.