LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Ronald Campsey upon the occasion of
being selected as the June honoree of the Veteran's Flag Ceremony hosted
by the Hampton Bays Union Free School District

WHEREAS, 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 preservation of peace in peace-
time, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commend those
who have served in times of active conflict, as well as those who have
served in times of peace; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Ronald Camp-
sey upon the occasion of being selected as the June honoree of the
Veteran's Flag Ceremony hosted by the Hampton Bays Union Free School
District; and
WHEREAS, The Hampton Bays Union Free School District, in partnership
with the American Legion Hand-Aldrich Post 924 and VFW Post 5350, proud-
ly recognizes Ronald Campsey for his service to the United States by
flying a flag in his honor for the entire month of June at the Hampton
Bays Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, Ronald Campsey, known to all of his friends and patrons of
the New Moon Cafe in East Quogue, New York, as Ronny, was born in San
Antonio, Texas, on June 29, 1942; he was raised in Devine, Texas, where
he graduated from Devine High School in June of 1960; and
WHEREAS, After graduating, Ronny Campsey worked for just over a year
at Kelly Air Force Base and, in 1962, he followed his girlfriend back to
her home town of Westbury, New York; after notifying his draft board of
his change of address, his records were misplaced and he was not called
up to be drafted until some years later; and
WHEREAS, At the age of 25, Ronny Campsey was drafted into the United
States Army on January 3, 1967; following basic training at Fort Jack-
son, South Carolina, he and approximately 50 other recruits boarded a
train for Fort Polk, Louisiana, to attend Advanced Infantry Training
(AIT); and
WHEREAS, After successfully graduating from AIT, Ronny Campsey took
two weeks leave and married his girlfriend, Geraldine; he was then
transferred to Fort Lewis, Washington, where he boarded a boat headed to
Vietnam; and
WHEREAS, Twenty-three days later, Ronny Campsey came ashore in the
port city of Von-Tau and was flown to the air base at Binh-hoa; there,
he was assigned to base camp in Dian, where he and his fellow soldiers
were trained in jungle warfare for a month; and
WHEREAS, In October of 1967, Ronny Campsey was involved in his first
battle at Loc-Ninh; in the heat of battle, he took an indirect hit from
an enemy rocket propelled grenade which knocked him over and slightly
wounded him; and
WHEREAS, Even though he was hurt, Ronny Campsey continued fighting,
and he and another soldier flanked an enemy machine gun nest and
destroyed it; consequently, Ron was awarded a Purple Heart for his inju-
ries and a Silver Star for his heroic action in destroying the enemy
machine gun nest; and
WHEREAS, After serving for several months in Vietnam, Ronny Campsey
was eligible for rest and recreation (R&R), which he took in Hawaii;
after returning to Vietnam, he was allowed to assume duties away from
combat, however, he requested to return to his front line unit and was
promoted to Sergeant; and

WHEREAS, On May 1, 1968, Sergeant Ronny Campsey's unit took part in a
14-day field operation, where a fierce fire fight erupted approximately
1,800 meters from the base camp; during the battle, he took a bullet
through his helmet that fortunately just grazed his scalp; for this
service, he was the recipient of two Bronze Stars; and
WHEREAS, Three days later, a second battle took place, and unfortu-
nately, five soldiers in Sergeant Ronny Campsey's unit were killed and
15 more were wounded; and
WHEREAS, On June 29, 1968, Sergeant Ronny Campsey returned to the
United States and was transferred to Fort Dix, New Jersey, where he was
assigned as an instructor; on December 20, 1968, he was honorably
discharged from the United States Army; and
WHEREAS, After his discharge, Ronny Campsey returned to Westbury, and
bought a gas station with his brother; in 1970, he left the gas station
and purchased an auto body shop; seven years later, he sold the body
shop and opened the New Moon Cafe; and
WHEREAS, In 1983, Ronny Campsey met his current wife, Shana, and
today, they run the New Moon Cafe together; and
WHEREAS, Along with managing his cafe, Ronny Campsey is dedicated to
both his local business community and various Vietnam veteran's causes;
and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his current wife, Shana, and
his eight children, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life
and rejoice in his accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, The dedication and sacrifices of our military personnel
ensure our continued role as a Nation which embodies the ideals of
democracy, and is a defender of liberty for peoples throughout the
world; and
WHEREAS, Having exhibited their patriotism both at home and abroad,
these men and women demonstrated their love for their country and merit
forevermore, the highest respect of their State and 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
commend Ronald Campsey upon the occasion of being selected as the June
honoree of the Veteran's Flag Ceremony hosted by the Hampton Bays Union
Free School District; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ronald Campsey.
.SO DOC A R1528 RESO TEXT 2015