Senate Resolution No. 5375

BY: Senator BONACIC

HONORING Elmer Budd upon the occasion of his
designation as Grand Marshal of the Goshen Memorial
Day Parade on May 28, 2018

WHEREAS, Each and every city, town, village and hamlet within its
borders resonates with the rich and noble history of New York State and
this nation; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend events which symbolize the historical, social and cultural
development of this great State and embody the spirit of the principles
upon which this nation was founded, and to applaud individuals who have
dedicated their life's work in support and furtherance of those
principles; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Elmer Budd upon the occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal of the
Goshen Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 28, 2018; 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 or in times of war since that time, and in times of peace, in
police actions and minor skirmishes, in peacekeeping roles and in
missions to foreign lands to uphold the cherished principles of liberty
and democracy upon which our grand Republic was founded; and

WHEREAS, A 76-year resident of Goshen, New York, Elmer Budd has been
the quintessential volunteer, devoting most of his waking hours to the
Goshen Fire Department where he has served since graduating from Goshen
High School; and

WHEREAS, After his first four years rising through the ranks with
the Goshen Fire Department, Elmer Budd left Goshen to respond to the
draft, first as an Advanced Combat Medic and a tour in western Germany
as part of the 56th Medical Battalion in the Advanced Operations
section; and

WHEREAS, In 1965, Elmer Budd's tour was extended for an additional
year, taking him to MACV headquarters in Saigon, South Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, Elmer Budd credits his education at Goshen High School with
keeping him safe during his years of service; as one of the few
servicemen in the battalion who could touch-type, he found himself
putting those skills to use more often than what he learned in medic
school; and

WHEREAS, This brave soldier was discharged in 1966, with the
esteemed rank of Specialist-5; he was awarded the Joint Services
Commendation Medal for his valiant military service; and

WHEREAS, Since that time, Elmer Budd has devoted his life to serving
Goshen at the local, county and state levels; he has served his beloved
community in several capacities, including as District Chief, County
Fire Investigator, New York State Fire Instructor and Deputy Fire
Coordinator; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Elmer Budd has displayed
throughout his life; and

WHEREAS, As we observe and remember our deceased veterans on
Memorial Day, we recall their brave and noble deeds 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 Elmer Budd upon the occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal
of the Goshen Memorial Day Parade on May 28, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Elmer Budd.