Senate Resolution No. 3070

BY: Senator KENNEDY

HONORING Specialist Nicholas James Stone 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 peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Specialist
Nicholas James Stone 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 on December 15, 1986, Nicholas Stone has dreamt of
serving his country since watching war documentaries in the sixth or
seventh grade; after attending Hilbert College from 2005 to 2007, he
enlisted in the United States Army on September 13, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Nicholas Stone was deployed to Afghanistan as a mortarman
in August of 2009, and moved around various posts before settling in
Kuhak, more than 100 miles northwest of Kandahar, in early 2010; and

WHEREAS, Although mortarmen generally stay in back of the action,
Nicholas Stone always volunteered to go on foot patrols with his fellow
soldiers as a member of the 82nd Airborne's 4th Brigade; and

WHEREAS, On May 21, 2010, Nicholas Stone lost his leg to a roadside
bomb while walking down a rutted road in one of Afghanistan's roughest
neighborhoods; facing a year of rehabilitation and an utterly altered
future, this courageous soldier fought on; and

WHEREAS, Eleven months and 15 days after this roadside bomb planted
by an Afghan rebel shattered his left leg, Nicholas Stone stood strong
and proud in a White House waiting room on May 4, 2011, before running
on his new leg as part of the Wounded Warrior Project's Soldier Ride
program; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of his valiant military service, Nicholas
Stone received the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Army
Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good
Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism

Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal,
Combat Infantry Badge and Parachutist Badge; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout has been his wife, Kristin, who has
showed him unwavering love and support and rejoices in his many
achievements; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Nicholas Stone 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 Specialist Nicholas James Stone 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 Specialist Nicholas James Stone.