2019 -- H 6041

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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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, Williams, Morin, Azzinaro, and
Shekarchi

     Date Introduced: April 30, 2019

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

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

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

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

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

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

     WHEREAS, While observing National Military Appreciation Month, American citizens

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

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

of May; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     WHEREAS, Armed Forces Day is celebrated this year on May 18th, and falls annually

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

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

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

Navy; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

P. Callahan.

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