Senate Resolution No. 2872

BY: Senator CARLUCCI

HONORING Jerry Donnellan upon the occasion of his
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
significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Jerry
Donnellan upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty
Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York
State Senate; 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, Born in 1946, Jerry Donnellan has been a lifelong Rockland
County resident; he grew up along the Hudson River in the Town of Nyack
before the first Tappan Zee Bridge was built; after graduating from
Albertus Magnus High School in Bardonia, New York, he attended Rockland
Community College before transferring to Texas A&M University; and

WHEREAS, In 1968, Jerry Donnellan was drafted into the United States
Army, where he proudly served his country during the Vietnam War; and

WHEREAS, On October 24, 1969, Sergeant Jerry Donnellan was wounded
while on patrol with the 196th Light Infantry in Vietnam's central
highlands; he was shot twice and hit with a grenade, leaving countless
pieces of shrapnel in his body; and

WHEREAS, After his honorable discharge, Jerry Donnellan spent more
than a year recovering and undergoing rehabilitation after his many
grievous injuries; during this time, he worked as a stage manager with
Frank Sinatra and got to travel all over the world; for his courageous
service, he was awarded three Purple Heart Medals; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Donnellan joined the staff of Rockland County's
Veteran Service Agency; as its Director, he has seen the county's
veteran population change predominantly from those who served in World
War II, to Korea and Vietnam, and now the Iraq and Afghanistan wars; and

WHEREAS, At the beginning of Jerry Donnellan's tenure, the Veteran
Service Agency consisted of 30,000 World War II veterans; today, there
are almost 10,000 members; and

WHEREAS, In his role as Director, Jerry Donnellan was instrumental
in establishing several programs for local veterans such as the Memorial
Day Watchfires and a veterans health clinic; he also helped to raise
awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder, and opened the first
homeless shelter for veterans in Valley Cottage (Missing In America),
which has since closed and has been transferred to Homes for Heroes in
Tappan; and

WHEREAS, After more than three decades of distinguished service to
the veterans of Rockland County, Jerry Donnellan will officially retire
in December of 2017; and

WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with which these men and women served their country, and must recognize
that no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who gave their
lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing
in action; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Jerry Donnellan demonstrated his love for his country and merits
forevermore, the highest respect of his 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
honor Jerry Donnellan upon the occasion of his 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
transmitted to Jerry Donnellan.