Assembly Resolution No. 1393

BY: M. of A. Raia

PAYING just tribute and remembering Master
Sergeant Christopher J. Raguso of the New York
National Guard who lost his life on Thursday, March
15, 2018, in Iraq

WHEREAS, The courage and bravery of our military personnel since the
United States Armed Forces commenced Operation Enduring Freedom,
Operation New Dawn and Operation Inherent Resolve will ensure our
continued enjoyment of the freedoms we are blessed to have as American
citizens; and

WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow and deep remorse that this
Legislative Body inscribes upon its records this memoriam for Master
Sergeant Christopher J. Raguso of the New York National Guard whose
selfless service on behalf of American values has led him to pay the
ultimate sacrifice defending the United States and the ideals and
principles upon which it was founded; and

WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Christopher J. Raguso, assigned to the
106th Rescue Wing, was stationed at F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard
Base in Westhampton Beach; and

WHEREAS, A true hero and patriot, Master Sergeant Christopher J.
Raguso was killed when his HH-60 Pave Hawk rescue helicopter crashed
near the city of Qaim in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, The 106th Rescue Wing specializes in air, land and sea
rescue of pilots and other military personnel and was operating in
support of Operation Inherent Resolve; and

WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Christopher J. Raguso, a resident of
Commack, New York, was an HH-60G special missions aviation flight
engineer; he joined the 106th Rescue Wing in 2001; and

WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Christopher J. Raguso joined the Commack
Volunteer Fire Department in 2000, prior to becoming a member of the New
York City Fire Department in 2005, serving in both Ladder Company 113,
Flatbush, Brooklyn, and Engine Company 302, Jamaica, Queens; he was
promoted to Lieutenant in 2016, and was honored six times by the FDNY
for bravery and life saving actions; in addition, he was promoted to
Honorary Chief posthumously by the Commack Volunteer Fire Department;
and

WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Christopher J. Raguso was assigned to the
Wing's 101st Rescue Squadron; he was previously deployed to Iraq as a
fire protection specialist with the 106th Civil Engineering Squadron,
twice to Afghanistan with the 101st, once to the Horn of Africa, and to
Texas and the Caribbean for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma; and

WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Christopher J. Raguso is survived by his
wife, Carmella, and his two daughters, Eva and Mila; and

WHEREAS, The banner of freedom will always wave over our beloved New
York and all of America, the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave;
and

WHEREAS, On behalf of the people of the State of New York, the
members of this Legislative Body offer their most sincere heartfelt
condolences to the family and friends of Master Sergeant Christopher J.
Raguso; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved with great respect and
reverent esteem to pay tribute to the heroic actions of Master Sergeant
Christopher J. Raguso, knowing his memory will forever remain with his
family; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
pay just tribute and remember Master Sergeant Christopher J. Raguso of
the New York National Guard who lost his life on Thursday, March 15,
2018, in Iraq; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Master Sergeant Christopher J. Raguso.