LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the untimely death of Specialist Matthew
M. Fedish, a proud cavalry scout with the United States Army and devoted
member of his community

WHEREAS, It is with feelings of deepest regret that this Legislative
Body mourns the untimely death of Specialist Matthew M. Fedish of
Chenango Bridge, New York, who died on Friday, August 5, 2011, at the
age of 21; and
WHEREAS, Born on March 30, 1990, Matthew M. Fedish was a graduate of
Chenango Valley High School, Class of 2008, where he was a member of the
football, wrestling, and lacrosse teams; and
WHEREAS, He was also a communicant of St. Paul's Church in Binghamton,
New York, and the American Legion Post 1194, Hillcrest, New York; and
WHEREAS, Matthew M. Fedish enlisted in the United States Army on July
8, 2008; he trained at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and was stationed at Fort
Drum, New York, with the 10th Mountain Division 1st Combat Brigade 1-71
Cavalry Bravo Troop; and
WHEREAS, This brave soldier fought for the freedom of all Americans
bravely and honorably during the height of combat in the Kandahar region
of Afghanistan from March 2010 to March 2011; 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, Matthew M. Fedish truly loved his family and friends;
although his life on earth was short, it was a life lived to its full-
est; he loved hunting with the guys from the barn, fishing, boating, and
motocross racing; he also loved to dance and sing, but most of all he
loved to make people laugh and smile; and
WHEREAS, He was a young man with a heart of gold who always placed
others before himself, feared nothing, and never, ever gave up; and
WHEREAS, Matthew M. Fedish is survived by his parents, Michael and
Lauren Fedish; his sister and brother-in-law, Amanda and Ted Ford;
maternal grandparents, Bud and Fran Alexander; paternal grandparents,
George and June Fedish; his aunts and uncles, Joe and Terry Alexander,
Mary Ellen and Chris Bednar, Andy and Tyann Alexander, Chip and Cindy
Fedish, and Kim and Tim Ross; 11 cousins, Rachel, Scott, Jennifer,
Isabell, Emily, Lara, Kristin, Cameron, Jordan, Branden, and Ryan; many
dear friends including the Beagells; Greg and Darcy, his best friend
Dustin, Kyle, Jocelyn, and Tanner, a special friend, Megan Sullivan; and
also his "second families" the Balls, Guenthers, Howards, and Norrises;
as well as his beloved dog, Sandy; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Matthew M. Fedish leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory in the
hearts of all those who had the honor of knowing him; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the untimely death of Specialist Matthew M. Fedish, a proud caval-
ry scout with the United States Army and devoted member of his communi-
ty; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Matthew M. Fedish.