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.
