PRINTER'S NO. 4274
No. 652 Session of 2002
INTRODUCED BY CREIGHTON, T. ARMSTRONG, ARGALL, M. BAKER, BARD,
BARRAR, BASTIAN, BEBKO-JONES, BELFANTI, BENNINGHOFF, BROOKS,
BROWNE, CALTAGIRONE, CAPPELLI, CLYMER, COLEMAN, CORRIGAN,
COSTA, COY, CRUZ, DALEY, DALLY, DeWEESE, EGOLF, J. EVANS,
FAIRCHILD, FEESE, FICHTER, FLEAGLE, FORCIER, FRANKEL, GABIG,
GEIST, GEORGE, GODSHALL, GRUCELA, HARHAI, HARHART, HASAY,
HENNESSEY, HERMAN, HERSHEY, HESS, HUTCHINSON, JAMES, KELLER,
LAUGHLIN, LEDERER, LESCOVITZ, LUCYK, MAJOR, MANDERINO, MANN,
MARKOSEK, MARSICO, McGILL, McILHATTAN, McNAUGHTON, MELIO,
METCALFE, R. MILLER, S. MILLER, NAILOR, PHILLIPS, PIPPY,
READSHAW, ROBERTS, ROHRER, ROSS, RUBLEY, SATHER, SAYLOR,
SCAVELLO, SCHRODER, SCHULER, SHANER, B. SMITH, SOLOBAY,
STABACK, STRITTMATTER, E. Z. TAYLOR, TIGUE, WATSON,
WOJNAROSKI, YOUNGBLOOD, ZUG, ALLEN, G. WRIGHT, McCALL AND
G. ARMSTRONG, SEPTEMBER 10, 2002
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
SEPTEMBER 10, 2002
A RESOLUTION
1 Commending the 409th Bomb Group Association, Inc., for the
2 outstanding service its members contributed to the combat
3 operations in Europe during World War II and for their
4 continuing contributions to peace and freedom; recognizing
5 the supreme sacrifice of the 111 officers and airmen who lost
6 their lives during those operations; honoring the memory of
7 member Mark Berkley; and recognizing the association's
8 reunion, September 22 through 24, 2002, in Lancaster,
9 Pennsylvania.
10 WHEREAS, The 409th Bomb Group Association, Inc., is an
11 association of the officers, airmen and surviving family members
12 of the 409th Bombardment Group (L), 9th Air Force, a World War
13 II European Theater of Operations combat unit; and
14 WHEREAS, The 409th Bombardment Group (L) flew 257 mid-
1 altitude bombing missions in support of Allied ground forces and
2 operations in Europe from April 14, 1944, through May 3, 1945,
3 and suffered the loss of 111 officers and airmen; and
4 WHEREAS, Following the war, those who survived these
5 courageous missions returned to the United States and served
6 with distinction in varied walks of life as citizens dedicated
7 to peace and freedom; and
8 WHEREAS, The association is holding its reunion September 22
9 through 24, 2002, in Lancaster; and
10 WHEREAS, This reunion is being held in Lancaster due to the
11 perseverance and dedicated efforts of the late Mark Berkley, a
12 veteran and association member who, like many association
13 members, was a citizen of this Commonwealth; therefore be it
14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commend the 409th
15 Bomb Group Association, Inc., for the outstanding service its
16 members contributed to the combat operations in Europe during
17 World War II and for their continuing contributions to peace and
18 freedom; and be it further
19 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
20 supreme sacrifice of the 111 officers and airmen of the 409th
21 Bombardment Group (L), 9th Air Force, who lost their lives
22 during those operations; and be it further
23 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the memory
24 of the 409th Bomb Group Association, Inc., member Mark Berkley;
25 and be it further
26 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
27 reunion of the 409th Bomb Group Association, Inc., September 22
28 through 24, 2002, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with gratitude and
29 appreciation.
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