Legislature Honors Wwii Remembrance Ceremony

State Senator James L. Seward and Assemblyman Peter Lopez today presented a legislative resolution to the Uniszkiewicz family of Cobleskill commemorating a memorial service to be held in Bricquebec, France, that will honor the memory of Lt. Joseph Uniszkiewicz, brother of Cobleskill resident Leon Uniszkiewicz.

"This is a significant moment that mixes heroism, friendship and international goodwill," Seward said. "The legislature is recognizing the special circumstance that unites people of two nations who were great allies in World War II. We all commend Lt. Joseph Uniszkiewicz for his service to his country, and to those in France who keep alive the memory of the heroic efforts of American airmen who were liberating their country from Axis powers."

The resolution was adopted by the senate on April 17 and by the state assembly on May 8.

Lt. Joseph Uniszkiewicz was shot down in France on May 8, 1944 while on a bombing mission over Germany. The family has been invited to visit France this year to receive Lt. Uniszkiewicz's dog tags, which were found and saved by residents of the area who attempted to help survivors of the crash. The tags will be presented to the family at an annual memorial service which takes place at a monument erected by local French citizens honoring the crews of two American aircraft, including Uniszkiewicz's, that crashed in the area during World War II.

One of the resolutions will be presented by the Uniszkiewicz family to the citizens of Bricquebec and Rocheville, France.

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