J 987: Commending George Buchanan Ten Eyck posthumously, 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. 987 BY: Senator HINCHEY COMMENDING George Buchanan Ten Eyck posthumously, 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 esteemed Body; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend George Buchanan Ten Eyck posthumously, 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; this prestigious honor will be awarded on Thursday, May 15, 2025; 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, On November 29, 1925, George Buchanan Ten Eyck was born to the late George and Viva (Acker) Ten Eyck in Poughkeepsie, New York; during his early years at Poughkeepsie High School, he met his future wife, Jane Schulenberg; at age 17, he left school and entered the United States Navy on October 20, 1943; and WHEREAS, Gunner's Mate (GM) Ten Eyck attended Gunner's Mate School at the Sampson United States Naval Training Station in Romulus, New York, before boarding the USS LSM (Landing Ship Medium) 33 in San Diego, California, which then headed to Pearl Harbor; and WHEREAS, For approximately 18 months, George Ten Eyck kept a diary, describing his travels--the number of times he crossed the equator, his quiet birthday, the awe and beauty he found in the Pacific Islands, and special meals with ice cream; and WHEREAS, The most descriptive parts of his diary were about battles near Okinawa, Luzon, and Leyte, ships being torpedoed, suicide bombers, mines in the water, noise from gunfire, the cargo and soldiers they carried through blinding smoke, and 58 straight days of "raids" in Okinawa; the diary ended in July 1945 when his ship left Okinawa to destinations unknown to the Gunner's Mate and his fellow shipmates; and WHEREAS, On April 19, 1946, at age 20, George Ten Eyck was discharged, returning to his home in Poughkeepsie; on September 8, 1946, he married Jane Schulenberg at the Poughkeepsie Reformed Church; the couple were blessed with two daughters; and WHEREAS, In his civilian life, George Ten Eyck was employed by both De Laval and H.O. Penn and became like a second son to his in-laws, Charles and Janet Schulenberg; and WHEREAS, On October 16, 1959, after years of suffering from the effects of his service as a sailor, George Ten Eyck died at Vassar Hospital in Poughkeepsie at the age of 33; and WHEREAS, At 6' 6" in stature, GM Ten Eyck was an unmistakable figure, especially aboard a United States Navy ship; beyond his impressive stature, he was a man remembered most for his gentle heart, deep kindness, and unwavering devotion to his family; his daughters, Cheryl and Darlene, remember his love of reading and bowling, taking them to Sam's Market for ice pops, picnics at Rudd Pond, and Christmas shopping for their mother; and WHEREAS, George Ten Eyck's was a beautiful life cut short; however, it is one that is memorialized in the foundation of love and strong family ties he gave his daughters and the way he and his wife taught them to treat people with kindness and to love their children; his widow never remarried because, in her words, she'd had the best; and WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism, both at home and abroad, George Ten Eyck 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 George Buchanan Ten Eyck posthumously, 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 the family of George Buchanan Ten Eyck.