"CHARLES N. DeGLOPPER DAY”

WHEREAS, Charles N. DeGlopper was born and raised on Grand Island, entered the Army in November, 1942 and served in Company C, 325^th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82^nd Airborne Division; and

WHEREAS, on June 9, 1944 Army Private First Class DeGlopper and his comrades, while attempting to secure a bridgehead across the Merderet River near la Fiere, France, were ambushed and trapped in a shallow road-side ditch; and

WHEREAS, Private DeGlopper walked onto the road in full view of the enemy and successfully drew attention away from his fellow soldiers as they escaped to a better position; and

WHEREAS, Private DeGlopper, at the age of 22 years, was killed in action on that day as a result of his heroic actions; and

WHEREAS, Private DeGlopper was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award bestowed on any member of the Armed Forces of the United States, because his gallant sacrifice and unflinching heroism while facing insurmountable odds were in great measure responsible for a highly important tactical victory in the Normandy Campaign; and

WHEREAS, 2004 marks the 60^th anniversary of Private DeGlopper’s supreme sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, a service commemorating his life and sacrifice will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 12, 2004 at Maple Grove Cemetery on Stony Point Road; and an open house will be hosted by members of the Charles N. DeGlopper Memorial Post 9249 Veterans of Foreign Wars, 2121 Grand Island Blvd. after the ceremony until 6:00 pm when a dance honoring World War II era veterans will be held;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Grand Island Town Board does hereby proclaim Saturday, June 12, 2004

“CHARLES N. DEGLOPPER DAY”

On Grand Island and urges its citizens to participate in these memorial events.

Proclaimed on this 7^th day of June at the 10^th regular meeting of 2004

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     Peter A. McMahon, Supervisor

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Mary S. Cooke, Councilwoman

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Richard W. Crawford, Jr., Councilman

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Daniel F. Robillard, Councilman

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Gary G. Roesch, Councilman