Assembly Resolution No. 395
BY: M. of A. Thiele
HONORING John A. Berdinka upon the occasion of
being named the Westhampton Free Library Hometown
Hero on May 18, 2019
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; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor John A.
Berdinka upon the occasion of being named the Westhampton Free Library
Hometown Hero to be celebrated on Saturday, May 18, 2019, at the
Westhampton Beach Fire House, Westhampton Beach, New York; and
WHEREAS, In January of 2018, the Westhampton Free Library culminated
a year-long Hometown Hero program honoring local veterans; this year,
the library is rekindling the program by paying tribute, each month, to
a member of the American Legion; and
WHEREAS, For his courageous and dedicated service to his country,
John A. Berdinka will be recognized at this year's May Hometown Hero
Ceremony; and
WHEREAS, Born on October 18, 1946, John A. Berdinka grew up in
Westhampton, graduating from Westhampton Beach High School in 1964; he
went on to study automotive mechanics at Voorhees Technical Institute,
part of the modern-day New York City College of Technology; and
WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his studies, John A. Berdinka
enlisted in the United States Navy; he completed boot camp at Naval
Station Great Lakes in Illinois, and was sent to his first duty station
in Adak, Alaska, where he spent eight months; and
WHEREAS, John A. Berdinka was then sent to the Naval Construction
Battalion Center in Part Hueneme, California, where he was assigned to
Naval Schools Construction and received heavy mechanic training before
being transferred to the Naval Construction Battalion Center in
Gulfport, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Deployed to Vietnam with Mobil Construction Battalion 128,
John A. Berdinka was assigned to a night field crew, working overnights
to repair equipment in the field; and
WHEREAS, In July of 1968, John A. Berdinka was sent back to the
United States to receive additional military and mechanical training; in
December of the same year, he returned to Vietnam for another
eight-month tour working in the shop; and
WHEREAS, Separated from active duty in August of 1969, John A.
Berdinka returned to Westhampton, where he went to work for George
Eckart pumping gas and repairing cars, followed by a 10-year stint with
Chesterfield Associates; and
WHEREAS, John A. Berdinka went on to have a distinguished career
with the Southampton Town Highway Department as a shop foreman, a
position he held for 25 years before retiring; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of 47 years, Dot,
and their four children, William, Matthew, Erik and Kristen, who have
all shown him love and support and rejoice in his many achievements; and
WHEREAS, Active in his community, John A. Berdinka is a member of
VFW Post No. 5350 and the Westhampton Beach Historical Society; and
WHEREAS, Having exhibited their patriotism both at home and abroad,
these men and women demonstrated their love for their country and merit
forevermore, the highest respect of their 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
honor John A. Berdinka upon the occasion of being named the Westhampton
Free Library Hometown Hero on May 18, 2019; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to John A. Berdinka.
