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Resolution No. ~ ~ Flo -- ~ c7
<br />A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA,
<br />HONORING REVEREND DONALD L. NEELY FOR HIS MORE THAN THREE (3) DECADES OF
<br />LOYAL AND DEDICATED SERVICE AS CHAPLAIN OF THE SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT
<br />AND SOUTH BEND POLICE DEPARTMENT
<br />L'/~.reaJ, the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, notes that on the 11 `h day of August,
<br />1935, Donald L. Neely was born to Reba and Allen Neely, Sr.; was raised with strong family values and went on to
<br />earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Dubuque; a Master of Divinity Degree from the University
<br />of Dubuque Seminary; and a Doctorate Degree in Human Sexuality; and
<br />Reverend Neely studied at the US Army Chaplain School at Ft. Hamilton, in New York and at
<br />Ft. Slocum, in New York; served as a Army Chaplain in various units throughout the world, including Vietnam;
<br />and was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army
<br />Commendation Medal with "V" Device for Valor; and
<br />~~~ Reverend Neely's long and distinguished career includes having served as a Presbyterian Church
<br />Pastor; Associate Professor at IU South Bend; a member of the 2002 US Olympic Sports Massage Team; Grief
<br />Counselor to a local funeral home; and many other Pastor assignments; and
<br />4~~ in November of 1977, the Board of Public Safety for the City of South Bend appointed Reverend
<br />Neely to be a Chaplain for the Police and Fire Departments and in this capacity he is known by the sworn members
<br />of the departments as a most sincere person of "faith, comfort and strength" who is always working on ideas to
<br />make the Chaplain Program the most vital and supportive program possible; was awarded the Wilbert Cunningham
<br />Award for Excellence in Police Chaplaincy in 2008; and serves as a Chaplain to Miller's Vets, Company C; and
<br />4~~ perhaps one of the best ways to attempt to thank Reverend Neely for the many lives which he has
<br />positively touched, especially during tough and trying times, is to recall his very own words:
<br />"You can crumble on the inside, but you've got to be a tower of strength
<br />on the outside. Yozr just have to rnaintain that minister presence ".
<br />~on,, C~il~xe~xe, /~e cl~~i~ ~ !fie ~omman ~ou.~aailo~l~e o~C-~',ul,~ ~P,xa! C~nd.,ana, as follows:
<br />Section I. On behalf of all of the citizens of the City of South Bend, Indiana, the Common Council hereby
<br />publicly honors and celebrates with a very grateful South Bend Community the many, many accomplishments and
<br />the thirty-three (33) years of loyal and dedicated service of Reverend Donald L. Neely as a Chaplain to the South
<br />Bend Fire and Police Departments.
<br />Section II. The South Bend Common Council honors Reverend Donald L. Neely for his sincere
<br />dedication, passion & special talents for serving for more than three (3) decades as Chaplain to the men and women
<br />who serve and have served as police officers and firefighters on the South Bend Police & Fire Departments; &
<br />would further like to thank him for providing words of inspiration to the City Council during his many Invocations.
<br />Section III. The Common Council of the City of South Bend wishes Reverend Donald L. Neely, his wife,
<br />Elaine, their children Lisa, Annette and Bruce; their seven (7) grandchildren Mallory, Joseph, Zoe, Erin, Ben, Liam
<br />and Phoebe; and all of their family members the very best in the years ahead in ret' 'and hopes that they will
<br />have many, many years of countless and timeless memories with family and f ' ds.
<br />in full force and effect fiom~~~ af~ i~~ddption by the Council and
<br />Al "Buddy" rs' , At Large
<br />T' t A. l~se, At Lar
<br />Karen L. White, At L rge
<br />~___., _
<br />Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney
<br />C-~°~.mGex, ,Z0~0
<br />Stephen J. Lu e, ayor of South Bend
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