J 2376: Commending Leonard Caldaro upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate

 Senate Resolution No. 2376 BY: Senator TEDISCO COMMENDING Leonard Caldaro upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace in peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Leonard Caldaro upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers; and WHEREAS, Leonard "Lenny" Caldaro is being honored by the Schenectady County Veteran Service Agency and the Honor-A-Veteran Committee; a special ceremony will be held at the Empire State Aerosciences Museum in Glenville, New York on Saturday, September 12, 2026; and WHEREAS, Leonard Caldaro entered the U.S. Army in October 1952; and WHEREAS, In early 1953, Leonard Caldaro boarded the USNS Marine Lynx for the voyage to Tokyo, Japan; from there, he traveled to Korea, arriving in February 1953; and WHEREAS, Leonard Caldaro was assigned to Company C, 5th Regimental Combat Team, where he spent much of his time in Gangwon-do Province, particularly around Chapori, occupying battle positions along Line Wyoming and serving on the front lines during one of the most intense periods of the Korean War; and WHEREAS, His regiment played an important role in preventing further enemy advances in the CAP ROK sector, coordinating blocking positions, artillery support, and outpost skirmishes against Chinese and North Korean forces; and WHEREAS, For his courageous service during the Korean War, Leonard Caldaro was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Star, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Emblem; and WHEREAS, Leonard Caldaro was honorably discharged from the United States Army on October 26, 1954; and WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage with which these men and women served their country, and must recognize that no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who risked and gave their lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing in action; and WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad, Leonard Caldaro demonstrated his love for his country and merits forevermore the highest respect of his State and Nation; and WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended, and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and for their dedication to their communities, their State, and their Nation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Leonard Caldaro upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Leonard Caldaro.