Senator Kennedy Invites Army Sergeant Sandra Jablonski Bourque to Join him as Independence Day Parade Grand Marshal

Sergeant Bourque was inducted into the State Senate’s Veterans’ Hall of Fame in June

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. – In recognition of the sacrifices made by Western New York veterans to build and preserve our nation, Senator Timothy M. Kennedy (D-58th District) announced he has invited Army Sergeant Sandra Jablonski Bourque to join him in sharing the honor of grand marshal of the Cheektowaga Independence Day Parade.

Sergeant Bourque, a Depew resident and veteran of the Iraq War, will lead the parade alongside Senator Kennedy, who nominated Bourque for induction into the State Senate’s Veterans’ Hall of Fame this year.

A young veteran and mother of a two-year-old son, Sergeant Bourque served in the Iraq War as a Specialist in the 82nd Airborne Division, 407th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. While serving at Camp Taji in Iraq, her Military Operations Specialty was supply. However, Bourque volunteered to go on night missions with the Protective Service Detail Team to work on projects in Sadr City and to monitor insurgent activity.

“It is an honor to be inducted into the State Senate’s Veterans’ Hall of Fame, and I thank Senator Kennedy for nominating me for this recognition,” Sergeant Bourque said. “Thousands of New Yorkers served with me and before me, and as honored as I am to be a new member of the Veterans’ Hall of Fame, I believe they, too, deserve this recognition for the sacrifices they made while serving our nation. I’m proud of the work I’ve done in the Armed Forces, and I want to thank all of the veterans and active-duty service members who all Americans have relied on and will rely on to protect our freedom.”

“As thrilled as I am to have the honor of serving as the grand marshal of the Cheektowaga Independence Day parade, I’m even more excited that I will be sharing the honor with Army Sergeant Sandra Jablonski Bourque, whom I nominated to be inducted into the New York State Senate’s Veterans’ Hall of Fame after bravely serving our country in the Iraq War,” Senator Kennedy said. “What better way to celebrate the birth of our nation this Independence Day than to honor the hardworking men and women, like Sergeant Bourque, who have made such great sacrifices and worked so hard to protect and defend our country. While I’m very proud to be walking with Sergeant Bourque in the parade, it is important to both the Sergeant and myself that we remember everyone who has served and currently serves as we celebrate our nation and our liberty.”

After her honorable discharge in 2009, Sergeant Bourque received the Good Conduct Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal with campaign star, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.

Born and raised in Western New York, Sergeant Bourque graduated from the University at Buffalo with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology in 2003, prior to enlisting in the Army in 2006. She met her husband, Jason, while stationed in Iraq, and they now reside in Depew with their two-year-old son. Jason continues to serve in the Army Reserve.

Click here to read Sergeant Bourque’s biography.