PRINTER'S NO. 2118
No. 250 Session of 2002
INTRODUCED BY MELLOW, MUSTO AND LEMMOND, JUNE 18, 2002
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, JUNE 18, 2002
A RESOLUTION
1 Expressing condolences on the passing of Gino J. Merli.
2 WHEREAS, Gino J. Merli passed away on June 11, 2002, at the
3 age of 78; and
4 WHEREAS, A beloved native son of Peckville, Mr. Merli was an
5 Army war hero by 18 years of age; and
6 WHEREAS, Mr. Merli displayed extraordinary heroism and
7 patriotism while serving as a machine gunner near Sars la
8 Bruyere, Belgium, where, during an attack on the night of
9 September 4, 1944, he feigned his death only to rise to confront
10 enemy soldiers until their surrender the next morning; and
11 WHEREAS, Mr. Merli was awarded the Congressional Medal of
12 Honor by President Truman on June 15, 1945, a symbol of the
13 President's and our nation's gratitude and recognition of his
14 unparalleled and limitless bravery, gallantry, patriotism and
15 courage; and
16 WHEREAS, Mr. Merli was awarded two Purple Hearts, the Bronze
17 Star, a Battle of the Bulge Medal and the Humanitarian Award of
1 the Chapel of the Four Chaplains; and
2 WHEREAS, Mr. Merli remained active in veterans affairs for
3 the remainder of his life through his membership in the Shopa-
4 Davey Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6082, the A. Pierson Hurd
5 American Legion Post 236, the Disabled American Veterans and the
6 Military Order of the Cootie; and
7 WHEREAS, As a humble and hardworking advocate for veterans
8 rights, Mr. Merli helped others through his work as an
9 adjudication officer at the Veterans' Affairs Medical Center in
10 Wilkes-Barre; and
11 WHEREAS, Gino Merli was the beloved husband of Mary, and
12 loving father to Dr. Gino, Philip and Maria; therefore be it
13 RESOLVED, That the Senate note with great sadness the passing
14 of Gino J. Merli and extend condolences to his family and
15 friends; and be it further
16 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
17 the family of Gino J. Merli.
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