PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, ARMY SPECIALIST MICHAEL L. GONZALEZ, lived in Spotswood all of his life and enlisted in the Army during his senior year at Spotswood High School and left for basic training after his graduation in 2006 ; and
WHEREAS, Michael was assigned to the 18th Military Police Brigade, 95th Military Police Battalion, of the 340th Military Police Company. His home unit was the 430th Military Police Detachment in Red Bank; and
WHEREAS, Michael was an active member of the Spotswood Junior Police Academy, class numbers 001 and 002 in 2005 and 2006. He demonstrated unique character traits of leadership, honor, integrity and dedication to public service. He furthered his connection to this program by continuing his contact with his instructors to serve as an aid as a Community Role Model; and
WHEREAS, Michael L. Gonzalez, age 20, died on August 28, 2008 in Iraq of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device exploded; and
WHEREAS, we gratefully acknowledge that we live in freedom today because of the many sacrifices that have been made and are being made today, by the valiant servicemen and women in the Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, the Spotswood Police Department, Administration and our Community desires to honor the valor, service, and dedication of Michael L. Gonzalez by appointing him as an honorary police officer of the Borough; and
WHEREAS, Michael L. Gonzalez a citizen representing our community who was called to arms as soldier in the endeavor to protect and serve, and who possessed all the great virtues of Honor, Courage, Selflessness, and Sense of Duty to his Community and Country will be dearly missed by all of us.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED I, Thomas W. Barlow, Mayor, do hereby proclaim the 2009 National Night Out in Memory of MICHAEL L. GONZALEZ, Honorary Police Officer of the Borough of Spotswood, and call upon all our citizens to make every effort to express our appreciation to Michael against all who would violate the law.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT AND IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that this Mayor and Council, speaking on behalf of the entire Community, mourn Michael's loss and extend to his family our sincere sympathy in this hour of their bereavement.
DATED: September 8, 2008
Thomas W. Barlow, Mayor
ATTEST:
Patricia DeStefano, RMC
Municipal Clerk
