LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Master Sergeant Raymond Drumsta
upon the occasion of winning the 2015 Army National Guard Journalism
Competition

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those exceptional journalists of this great Empire State who
have distinguished themselves in their profession while entertaining us
and enriching our lives with their creative talents; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Master Sergeant Raymond Drumsta upon the occasion of winning the Army
National Guard Journalism Competition in February of 2015; and
WHEREAS, In 1982, Master Sergeant Raymond Drumsta joined the Army
National Guard as an Infantry Scout; in 1993, he became a public affairs
soldier; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his civilian life, Master Sergeant Raymond Drumsta
has held the position of Newspaper Reporter, most recently for the ITHA-
CA JOURNAL; and
WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Raymond Drumsta's prize-winning article,
entitled "Guard Soldier Receives Valor Medal for Saving Fellow Soldier",
tells the story of a New York Army National Guard Sergeant, who received
the state Medal of Valor for his efforts to save his Captain from a
fiery car crash on December 9, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Iraq War veteran and military photojournalist Master Sergeant
Raymond Drumsta's story will be forwarded to the Army-wide Keith L. Ware
journalism competition for judging later this year; and
WHEREAS, At the time, while writing the article, Master Sergeant
Raymond Drumsta was assigned to the New York National Guard's Public
Affairs Office; he proudly served his country as a member of the 42nd
Infantry Division in Tikrit, Iraq, in 2005, and was then deployed to
Kuwait with the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in 2012; and
WHEREAS, Today, Master Sergeant Raymond Drumsta continues to serve in
the information operations section of the 42nd Infantry Division, and is
working full-time with the National Guard presenting the Citizen
Preparedness Training program around the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when journal-
ists of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Master Sergeant Raymond Drumsta upon the occasion of
winning the 2015 Army National Guard Journalism Competition; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Master Sergeant Raymond Drumsta.