PRINTER'S NO.  4179

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

No.

896

Session of

2012

  

  

INTRODUCED BY SAYLOR, OCTOBER 3, 2012

  

  

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, OCTOBER 3, 2012  

  

  

  

A RESOLUTION

  

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Recognizing the Veterans Remembered Flag.

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WHEREAS, National and State Veterans Cemeteries honor only

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12% of American veterans in their final resting place, leaving

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88% of them interred in private locations throughout our country

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without proper recognition; and

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WHEREAS, The Veterans Remembered Flag flying below the

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American Flag at the entrance to these private cemeteries would

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give long deserved recognition to the presence of veterans

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interred in such ground; and 

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WHEREAS, Displaying a Veterans Remembered Flag at such

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cemeteries will enable the public to pay respect to these

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veterans; and

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WHEREAS, There are flags for all branches of the armed

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service, and there is a flag for prisoners of war and

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individuals missing in action; and

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WHEREAS, There is no flag recognized in this Commonwealth to

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honor the millions of former military personnel who have served

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our nation; and

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WHEREAS, A flag is a symbol of recognition for a group or an

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ideal and veterans compose a group and represent an ideal and,

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therefore, deserve recognition of their own flag; and

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WHEREAS, It is estimated that over 20,000,000 veterans,

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affiliated and unaffiliated with veterans' organizations, have

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served in our nation's military, thus comprising a significant

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portion of our country's population; and

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WHEREAS, A Veterans Remembered Flag would memorialize and

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honor all past, present and future veterans and provide an

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enduring symbol to support tomorrow's veterans today; and

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WHEREAS, The Veterans Remembered Flag, as designed by the

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Sonoma Veterans, with the white star located in the middle of

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the flag representing the dedication to service, the smaller

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gold star memorializing those who have fallen defending our

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nation and the green field representing the hallowed ground

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where all rest eternally, makes the flag appropriate to fly in

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cemeteries that are the final resting places for veterans; and

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WHEREAS, As Americans, it is our responsibility to ensure

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that our history is documented and reverence is given to our

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veterans and war heroes; and

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WHEREAS, The freedoms and security we cherish as Americans

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come at a very high price for those serving in the military; and

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WHEREAS, It is fitting and proper that we, who are the

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beneficiaries of the courage of those who risk their lives,

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leaving their families behind, express our appreciation and

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eternal gratitude for their sacrifices and courageous acts;

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therefore it be

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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor all

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veterans who have sacrificed so much of themselves, sometimes

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making the ultimate sacrifice, in order to serve their country

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proudly; and be it further

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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the

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Veterans Remembered Flag as a respectable symbol that honors all

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veterans in this Commonwealth; and be it further

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RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to

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Sonoma Veterans Memorial Park Association, Post Office Box 153,

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El Verano, California 95433.

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