LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Alfred J. Jurek Post No. 1672 Department
Commander Timothy S. Van Patten upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition by the Sullivan County American Legion

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend and support
the purposeful cause of the American Legion, recognizing its long and
sustained commitment to the principles of democracy and freedom so
revered by this State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, The American Legion is a veterans' service organization which
draws its membership from the men and women who have served in the Armed
Forces of the United States during a period of Congressionally recog-
nized war or armed conflict; and
WHEREAS, The American Legion was founded by members of the American
Expeditionary Forces (AEF) who convened at Paris, France, on March
15-19, 1919; the following May, soldiers, sailors and marines represent-
ing every state met in St. Louis to ratify the action of the AEF,
already endorsed by the highest military authorities, and launch the
American Legion as a national organization of American veterans; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Alfred J.
Jurek Post No. 1672 Department Commander Timothy S. Van Patten upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Sullivan
County American Legion on Sunday, March 10, 2013, in Bloomingburg, New
York; and
WHEREAS, One of the fundamental aims of the American Legion was to
create a fraternity based upon firm comradeship, born of war service,
and dedicated to equitable treatment for all veterans, particularly the
suffering and disabled, their widows and children; and
WHEREAS, Timothy Van Patten enlisted in the United States Navy
Reserves in 1966; he served two tours of duty from 1968-1969 during
refueling operations in the Tonkin Gulf during the Vietnam War; he was
discharged from active service on October 10, 1969; and
WHEREAS, Timothy Van Patten was honorably discharged on December 12,
1972; he is a 40-year member of Alfred J. Jurek Post 1672, in East
Amherst; he recently retired from the Williamsville Central School
District after 30 years of service in maintaining the athletic fields
for 13 schools; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Elaine, and their
children, Tim II, Brian, and Erin, as well as their three grandchildren,
Samantha, Elizabeth and Russell, all of whom feel privileged to be a
part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Department Commander Van Patten has helped make the Alfred J.
Jurek Post No. 1672 American Legion Family an organization recognized
with pride throughout this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Alfred J. Jurek Post No. 1672 Department Commander Timothy S. Van
Patten upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by
the Sullivan County American Legion; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Department Commander Timothy S. Van Patten, Alfred J. Jurek
Post No. 1672 American Legion.