2016 -- S 2908

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LC005578

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RECOGNIZING HONOR FLIGHT AND ITS VOLUNTEERS, AND COMMENDING RHODE

ISLAND'S WORLD WAR II VETERANS FOR THEIR SERVICE TO OUR NATION

     Introduced By: Senators Doyle, Paiva Weed, Ruggerio, Goodwin, and Lombardi

     Date Introduced: April 13, 2016

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, Our nation's security continues to rely on patriotic men and women who put

their personal lives on hold in order to place themselves in harm's way to protect the freedoms

that all United States citizens cherish; and

     WHEREAS, Members of the United States military have long been recognized around

the world for their superior tactical skills, their strength of physique and character, and their

ability to complete any objective; and

     WHEREAS, The citizens of this nation regard veterans of World War II as the Greatest

Generation, having demonstrated a deep personal commitment to protecting democracy and a

willingness to sacrifice their own personal safety and comfort to ensure the well-being of their

fellow man; and

     WHEREAS, The Greatest Generation served as guardians of the world's freedom and

liberty, deserve great recognition for their selfless service to this nation, and should be honored

for their unyielding commitment to protecting the people and ideals of the United States; and

     WHEREAS, Thanks to the Honor Flight organization, World War II veterans have an

opportunity to take a free day trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the World War II Memorial; and

     WHEREAS, Honor Flight is a national organization founded in 2005 in Springfield,

Ohio, by Mr. Earle Morse that has expanded over the past ten years to allow thousands of World

War II veterans to experience the Memorial; and

     WHEREAS, Honor Flight is a program organized, funded and staffed by countless

volunteers in order to pay tribute to our state's World War II veterans in the community; and

     WHEREAS, This amazing organization and its volunteers have provided over 350 Rhode

Island World War II veterans aged 85 to 103 with a chance to visit the World War II Memorial

which was completed in 2004, thus enabling these patriotic Americans to come together one more

time in mutual fellowship and in tribute to their fallen comrades; and

     WHEREAS, The men and women of Honor Flight are yet again performing a deeply

meaningful service in recognition of the sacrifice of those who have so ably served this nation on

April 2nd and June 4th of this year, when two more Honor Flights, code named "Lima" and

"Mike", will depart for our nation's capital; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's veterans of World War II embodied the spirit of service, the

willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves, and it is abundantly fitting and

proper that the outstanding accomplishments and sacrifices of these remarkable and distinguished

Americans be honored appropriately; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby expresses its most profound appreciation for Rhode Island's World War II veterans of the

United States military, who stood ever ready to lay down the ultimate sacrifice upon the altar of

freedom; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby honors and expresses its gratitude to the Honor

Flight Network and to its volunteers for their countless hours of passionate service, and

unwavering commitment to salute war heroes with one more tour of honor; and be it further

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

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to George Farrell, Chairman of Honor Flight.

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