Senate Resolution No. 2187
BY: Senator JORDAN
COMMENDING Paul J. Proper, Sr. 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 Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Paul J.
Proper, Sr. 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, to be presented at the Columbia
County Honor a Veteran Ceremony on September 23, 2019; 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, Paul J. Proper, Sr. was born on October 21, 1930, to Myron
and Olia (Pectal) Proper in North Egremont, Massachusetts; growing up in
Craryville, New York, he attended Roe Jan Central School and after
graduating in June of 1949, he worked as an auto mechanic; and
WHEREAS, On January 3, 1951, Paul J. Proper, Sr. enlisted as a
Private in the United States Air Force in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, After basic training in San Antonio, Texas, Paul J. Proper,
Sr. was trained at Lackland Air Force Base as an Aircraft Mechanic on
bombers and then Aberdeen, Maryland; and
WHEREAS, Technical Sergeant Paul J. Proper, Sr. was assigned to duty
in Pusan, Korea, in August of 1952, with the 5th Air Force, 78th
maintenance squadron; he flew on night missions on the Douglas B-26
bomber as a Flight Mechanic; the B-26s were credited with the
destruction of 38,000 vehicles, 406 locomotives, 3,700 railway trucks
and seven enemy aircraft on the ground; and
WHEREAS, Technical Sergeant Paul J. Proper, Sr. was honorably
discharged on December 19, 1954, at Vance Air Force Base in Enid,
Oklahoma; and
WHEREAS, For his courageous service during the Korean War, Paul J.
Proper, Sr. was awarded the Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal,
United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and the Good Conduct
Medal; and
WHEREAS, Paul J. Proper, Sr. met and married Marjorie E. Decker of
Ancramdale, New York, on April 13, 1952, and together they raised four
children, Paul, Jr., Rosemarie, David and Jeffrey; and
WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, Paul J.
Proper, Sr. worked as a Deputy for the Columbia County Sheriff's
Department, becoming its first Investigator and then Undersheriff in
1972; in 1977, he was elected Sheriff and served the next 12 years in
that capacity, retiring in 1989; furthermore, in 2001, he briefly served
as Sheriff; and
WHEREAS, Active in his community, Paul J. Proper, Sr. was
President/Life member of the New York State Sheriff's Association and
was instrumental in building the Columbia County Public Safety Facility
in Hudson, New York, which was named in his honor; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, Paul J. Proper, Sr. was a member of
Clausson-Raught Community Rescue Squad; a Life member of the Copake Fire
Company, serving as Assistant Chief and Fire Commissioner; and member of
the Hillsdale 612 Free Masons, the Cadby Shutts Veterans of Foreign Wars
Post No. 7552, and the Columbia County Korean War Association; moreover,
he was the Director of the Columbia County Fair Board for more than 30
years, and a communicant of the West Copake Reformed Church; and
WHEREAS, Paul J. Proper, Sr. died on December 20, 2018, at the age
of 88, and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Pine Plains, New York; he
is survived by his loving wife, four children, eight grandchildren, and
nine great-grandchildren; 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 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,
Paul J. Proper, Sr. 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 Paul J. Proper, Sr. 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 Paul J. Proper, Sr.
