LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Mary First Moon posthumously upon the
occasion of her designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest
honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Mary First
Moon posthumously upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New
York State Senate, to be celebrated at the Columbia County Honor-A-De-
ceased Veteran Ceremony on September 28, 2015; 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, Mary First was born on October 11, 1921, to Frank and Eva
(Ziemba) First in Hudson, New York; in 1940, she graduated from Hudson
Central School; and
WHEREAS, After graduation, Mary First attended Hudson City School of
Nursing, attaining her Registered Nursing degree in 1944; she was then
employed at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City; and
WHEREAS, On May 1, 1945, Mary First proudly enlisted in the United
States Army Nursing Corps as an RN with the esteemed rank of 2nd Lieu-
tenant; she was assigned to the Station Hospital 1976th Service Command
Unit where she performed numerous general nursing duties; and
WHEREAS, Mary First was one of 59,000 American nurses who valiantly
served their country during World War II; the skill and dedication of
these remarkable women contributed to the extremely low post-injury
mortality rate among American military; fewer than four percent of those
who received medical care for wounds or disease died during this global
war; and
WHEREAS, On June 16, 1946, 2nd Lieutenant Mary First was honorably
discharged at Camp Beale, California; for her courageous service to her
country, she was the recipient of several awards and accolades including
the American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the Merito-
rious Service Unit Plaque; and
WHEREAS, After her discharge, Mary First returned to her hometown and
began to work at Hudson City Hospital as an RN; shortly thereafter, she
met Roland F. Moon, and they were married on June 8, 1947; together,
they raised three wonderful children, Robert, Marcia and Brian; and
WHEREAS, Along with nurturing her loving family, Mary First Moon
developed a reputation as a professional wedding cake baker; she was
also an active participant in the Nurses Bowling League and was a life-
long member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hudson, New York; and
WHEREAS, At the young age of 43, Mary First Moon passed away on April
15, 1965; along with her three children, she is survived by five grand-
children and one great-grandchild; and
WHEREAS, Having exhibited her patriotism both at home and abroad, Mary
First Moon demonstrated her love for her country and merits forevermore
the highest respect of her State and her 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
honor Mary First Moon posthumously upon the occasion of her designation
as recipient of a 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 tran-
smitted to the family of Mary First Moon.