RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Vernon McGarity has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 91; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Vernon McGarity was the loving and devoted husband of the late Ethelene; and
WHEREAS, Vernon McGarity was the much-adored father of V. Ray and the late Sharon to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, Vernon McGarity was an Army Technical Sergeant in the 393rd Infantry, 99th Infantry Division during World War II; and
WHEREAS, In spite of being wounded during the opening salvo of the German attack on Allied forces near Krinkelt, Belgium, Vernon McGarity valiantly returned to his men at the front lines of the raging conflict, the last major German offensive of the war, later known as the Battle of the Bulge; and
WHEREAS, Exhibiting heroic endurance and valor of the highest caliber in the face of overwhelming odds, Vernon McGarity rescued injured troops, immobilized an enemy tank, made a courageous sortie to replenish ammunition and singlehandedly neutralized the crew of a machinegun emplacement blocking the only escape route; and
WHEREAS, Although he and his men eventually ran out of ammunition and were captured by German forces, Vernon McGarity bought Allied forces invaluable time to regroup and break the force of the enemy assault; and
WHEREAS, In October, 1945, President Harry Truman awarded Vernon McGarity the Congressional Medal of Honor; and
WHEREAS, After World War II, Vernon McGarity served 28 years in the Tennessee National Guard, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and spent 35 years working with the Veterans Administration helping veterans secure government benefits; and
WHEREAS, The hard work and sacrifice of Vernon McGarity serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, His love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared Vernon McGarity to his family members, friends and all who knew him, and enabled him to enrich their lives in ways they will never forget; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, Vernon McGarity imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this fifth day of June, 2013, do hereby commemorate Vernon McGarity for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Vernon McGarity.
Alderhmn - Uth Ward