WHEREAS, Our nation was conceived by brave individuals willing to sacrifice their personal safety and concerns to ensure this nation's freedom; and

WHEREAS, The Eighth Air Force eventually became the largest air force in the history of aviation, serving in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War; and

WHEREAS, This remarkable organization has admirably served the U.S. since its inception 50 years ago in Savannah, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, In World War II, the Mighty Eighth Air Force played an integral role in the success of the invasion of Europe; and

WHEREAS, Although their meritorious efforts in World War II were successful, it did not come without paying a high price, losing 10,000 aircraft, 26,000 air crewmen killed in action and 28,000 prisoners of war; and

WHEREAS, In the Korean War, Eighth Air Force personnel were assigned to combat operations under the operational control of the Far East Air Force (FEAF) that performed conventional strikes over North Korea; and

WHEREAS, In Vietnam, the Eighth Air Force was headquartered at Andersen Air Force Base on the Island of Guam, providing B-52 bombing missions with refueling support by KC-135's throughout the combat theater; and

WHEREAS, In the Gulf War, the Eighth Air Force provided B-52 bombers; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Eighth Air force continues its distinguished service at the Air Combat Command at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Since 1942, over one million Americans have served their country in the Eighth Air Force, and

WHEREAS, In honor of over one million men and women who courageously served in the Eighth Air Force, the Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum was built to remember the gallant efforts of these brave men and women; and

WHEREAS, The Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Center will be a memorial and monument to those men who did not return from war and to the survivors who continue to make their selfless contributions to our great nation; and

WHEREAS, The Heritage Museum includes attractions such as the Memorial Gardens, the Wall of Valor, and five large free-standing monuments, now, therefore, be it,

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations recognize museums such as the Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum as national treasures that are essential in educating our young people; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Mighty Eighth Heritage Air Force Museum.