Bill Text: NY J01425 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Honoring Joseph T. Fraccola upon the occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal of the New Hartford Memorial Day Parade on May 27, 2019

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-05-14 - ADOPTED [J01425 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J01425-Introduced.html

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Assembly Resolution No. 387

BY: M. of A. Miller B

        HONORING  Joseph  T. Fraccola upon the occasion of
        his designation as Grand Marshal of the New Hartford
        Memorial Day Parade on May 27, 2019

  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 in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Joseph T. Fraccola upon the occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal
of the New Hartford Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 27, 2019; 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 fitting choice for Grand Marshal of New Hartford's Annual
Memorial Day Parade, Joseph T. Fraccola proudly served his country as  a
member of the United States Army during the Vietnam War; and

  WHEREAS,  For  his  meritorious  service,  Specialist  5  Joseph  T.
Fraccola was the recipient of  the  Purple  Heart  for  wounds  received
during  an  enemy  rocket attack on June 7, 1969, while serving with the
1st Logistical Command, Company E, 5th Maintenance  Battalion,  Director
Support;  after  returning  from  Vietnam,  he  was  assigned to Service
Battery 14th Field Artillery Company in Fort Sill, Oklahoma; and

  WHEREAS, Upon the completion of  his  military  service,  Joseph  T.
Fraccola worked for the United States Postal Service in Utica, New York,
for  over  36  years,  retiring  in  2005; throughout his tenure, he was
involved in many United States postage veterans' stamp  related  events,
making  presentations  and  speaking to many veterans' organizations and
schools; and

  WHEREAS, Devoted to his fellow veterans, Joseph T.  Fraccola  served
as  co-Chair  of  the  Utica  Post  Office  Veterans' Committee, and was
instrumental in the placement of the All American Veterans' Monument and
brick walkway honoring all veterans;  he  also  petitioned  Congress  to
rename two of the area's post offices for local soldiers killed in Iraq,
and  assisted  with  the placement of the Gold Star Mothers' Monument at
the Utica Post Office; and


  WHEREAS,  In  2004,  Joseph  T.  Fraccola  reactivated the local CNY
Chapter 490 Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), as Commander,  he
helped  make  the Utica Comets Hockey the first Purple Heart Hockey Club
in the Nation; and

  WHEREAS,  This  remarkable  patriot   was   also   instrumental   in
establishing  Utica's  Purple  Heart  Memorial  Park  and  Memorial, and
organizing an Annual Well-Wish  Visit  to  Walter  Reed  Army  Hospital,
Fishers Houses and Arlington Cemetery; and

  WHEREAS,  Joseph T. Fraccola served on former Congressmen's Veterans
Advisory Committee, Utica's Annual Memorial Day Parade and Wreath Laying
Committee, and proudly laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier;
and

  WHEREAS, As a member of the Oneida County World War II Veterans Trip
Committee, he helped organize a trip to the National Purple  Heart  Hall
of  Honor for local Purple Heart Recipient's and Gold Star Families, and
is a volunteer for Honor Flight Syracuse; and

  WHEREAS, Joseph T. Fraccola was  instrumental  in  establishing  the
22nd   Congressional  New  York  District  as  the  first  Purple  Heart
Congressional District in the Nation, and led the way for the Cities  of
Utica and Rome, and several counties to become Purple Heart Counties and
Cities; and

  WHEREAS,  Furthermore,  Joseph  T.  Fraccola  is an active member of
numerous local veterans and community organizations; and

  WHEREAS,  For  his  steadfast  and  unremitting  commitment  to  his
mission,  Joseph  T.  Fraccola  was the recipient of numerous awards and
accolades for his work with MOPH; he also received  the  2018  Community
Champion  Award  by  the  Parkway Center of Utica, and two Distinguished
Citizenship Awards by BPOE Utica Elks Lodge 33; and

  WHEREAS, With him  throughout  have  been  his  wife  of  46  years,
Lorraine;  their  daughter,  Kristen,  and  son-in-law,  Matt; and their
granddaughter, Isabella; all of whom have shown him love and support and
rejoice in his many achievements; 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  Joseph  T. Fraccola upon the occasion of his designation as Grand
Marshal of the New Hartford Memorial Day Parade on May 27, 2019; and  be
it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Joseph T. Fraccola.