2018 -- H 8159

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LC005560

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING THE MONTH OF MAY AS "NATIONAL MILITARY

APPRECIATION MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Vella-Wilkinson, Lancia, McLaughlin, McNamara, and
Azzinaro

     Date Introduced: May 03, 2018

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, In 1999, United States Senator John McCain introduced legislation to

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designate the Month of May as "National Military Appreciation Month" in the United States. The

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resolution passed overwhelmingly and since then, annually in the Month of May, we join together

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to thank those who have served and currently serve our nation in the United States Armed Forces.

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We recognize the sacrifice that they and their families have made on behalf of our nation and

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solemnly honor those who fell while fighting to preserve our precious liberties and freedoms; and

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     WHEREAS, While observing National Military Appreciation Month, American citizens

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are encouraged to come together and unify in support of our military service members, past and

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present. To foster that sense of unity, six national observances occur every year during the month

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of May; and

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     WHEREAS, Loyalty Day occurs every May 1st and kicks off the month-long

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celebrations. On Loyalty Day, we reaffirm our loyalty to the United States and reflect with pride

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on our nation's proud heritage of serving as a beacon of freedom for all of humanity; and

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     WHEREAS, Victory in Europe Day is celebrated every May 8th, in memory of the

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surrender of Germany in World War II and in remembrance of the heroic efforts the United States

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and its allies made to liberate Europe from the clutches of Nazi Germany; and

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     WHEREAS, Military Spouse Appreciation Day is celebrated this year on May 11th and

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traditionally falls on the Friday before Mother's Day. On this day we thank all of the spouses for

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the sacrifices they make on a daily basis to keep our nation and military strong; and

 

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     WHEREAS, Armed Forces Day is celebrated this year on May 19th, and falls annually

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on the third Saturday in May. On this day we give thanks to all service members who dutifully

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serve and protect our nation in all branches of the American military; the United States Air Force,

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United States Army, United States Coast Guard, United States Marines, and the United States

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Navy; and

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     WHEREAS, On the last Monday in May, we remember and commemorate all of

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America’s veterans who died while in the service of our nation. From Valley Forge to

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Gettysburg, from the trenches in World War I to Omaha Beach, Iwo Jima, to the skies over

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Europe and the Pacific Ocean and other battlegrounds in World War II, to the Hills of Korea, the

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Jungles of Vietnam and the deserts of the Middle East, America has been fortunate through the

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centuries to have so many of its citizens answer the call in preservation of our liberties, and many

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have fallen and made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our nation; and

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     WHEREAS, The citizens of Rhode Island also joyously celebrate Rhode Island Military

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Families Day every May on the Sunday after Mother's Day. On this day we come together to

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show appreciation for all of the sacrifices that military families, spouses and their children, make

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in support of those who serve in our nation's Armed Forces; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

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Providence Plantations hereby commemorates the Month of May as "National Military

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Appreciation Month" in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to, the Honorable Gina M. Raimondo, Governor

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of the State of Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island Adjutant General, Major General Christopher

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P. Callahan.

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