LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Lewis Smith upon the occasion of being
selected as Grand Marshal of the 2016 New Hartford Memorial Day Parade
on May 30, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those distinguished citizens who devote their time and ener-
gies to the service of their community and profession, participating in
civic affairs and enhancing the character and quality of life for all
citizens; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Lewis Smith upon the occasion of being selected as Grand Marshal of the
2016 New Hartford Memorial Day Parade on May 30, 2016; and
WHEREAS, On Memorial Day, observed annually on the last Monday of the
month of May, we honor those Americans who gave their lives in defense
of their country, whether in the Civil War which divided our Nation,
international conflicts such as the World Wars, or in peacetime service
to uphold the cherished principles of liberty and democracy upon which
our grand Republic was founded; and
WHEREAS, A fitting choice for Grand Marshal of the 2016 New Hartford
Memorial Day Parade, Lewis Smith proudly served his country as a member
of the United States Air Force during World War II; and
WHEREAS, Born on December 7, 1922, Lewis "Lew" Smith was raised in
Washington Mills, New York, where he attended local schools, graduating
from Sauquoit Valley Central School in 1940; and
WHEREAS, On September 26, 1942, Lewis Smith joined the United States
Air Force, and graduated from the Air Force Gunnery School in Ft.
Meyers, Florida, and the Armament School in Denver, Colorado; and
WHEREAS, Upon graduating in 1943, Lewis Smith was assigned to the B-24
Bomber Crew located in Tucson, Arizona; in that same year, his crew
received an assignment to the 307th Bomb Group, 372 Bomb Squadron, 13th
Air Force at Guadalcanal; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his meritorious military career, he flew 50 combat
missions as a Nose Gunner in a B-24 Bomber in the South, Central and
Southwest Pacific; and
WHEREAS, Following his overseas assignment, Lewis Smith returned to
the United States, and was assigned to Lowry Field in Denver, Colorado,
as an instructor in the Armament School; after the completion of this
assignment, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant
in 1945; and
WHEREAS, Since leaving the service, Lewis Smith has attended many
reunions of his World War II Bomb Group and the 13th Air Force with his
wife, sons and grandson; over the past several years, he has enjoyed
sharing his World War II experiences with various audiences; and
WHEREAS, After his discharge, Lewis Smith returned to his home in
Washington Mills, and worked as a welder at Utica Structural Steel until
taking over his father-in-law's Richfield Gas Station in January of
1954; shortly thereafter, he operated L. H. Smith and Sons Service
Station with his sons until it closed in 1981; however, he continued to
hold the title of Manager for the new owners for the next three years;
and
WHEREAS, In addition to his work at the service station, Lewis Smith
served as both custodian and school crossing guard for the Town of New
Hartford, a position from which he retired after 15 years; and
WHEREAS, Affectionately known as the Mayor of Washington Mills, Lewis
Smith remains an integral part of his community at the age of 93; for
the past 45 years, he has been a Charter Member in the Willowvale Fire

Department, and a Charter Member in the Sauquoit Valley Lions Club for
over six decades; and
WHEREAS, A faithful congregant of St Patrick's, St Anthony's Church in
Chadwicks, New York, Lewis Smith has been a vital member of the Clonan
American Legion Post for the last 62 years, and continues to participate
in the Clinton VFW; and
WHEREAS, A man who truly embodies the Greatest Generation, Lewis Smith
has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades for his excep-
tional service to his country; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, the former Elizabeth
(Jane) Hart; and his four children, Carol, Elizabeth, William and
Thomas; as well as his 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, As we observe and remember our deceased veterans on Memorial
Day, we recall their brave and noble deeds as well as their sacrifices
which have served to maintain our most precious and cherished freedoms
and honor those who continue to work diligently to support and sustain
them; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Lewis Smith upon the occasion of being selected as Grand Marshal
of the 2016 New Hartford Memorial Day Parade on May 30, 2016; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Lewis Smith.