PRINTER'S NO. 2147
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
242
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY RAPP, GILLEN, SMITH, KAUFFMAN, DELLOSO, PICKETT,
BRENNAN, WEBSTER, HAMM, HADDOCK AND NEILSON, OCTOBER 16, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, OCTOBER 16, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Urging the United States Department of Defense, Defense POW/MIA
Accounting Agency to continue its arduous, noble and
honorable work of bringing home all prisoners of war and
those listed as missing in action.
WHEREAS, Since World War II, more than 81,000 Americans are
still unaccounted for and are listed as either prisoners of war
(POW) or missing in action (MIA); and
WHEREAS, Unthinkable pain remains with the loved ones of the
soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who do not return home;
and
WHEREAS, Though POWs and the men and women declared MIA
remain overseas for years or even decades, the Defense POW/MIA
Accounting Agency (agency) works tirelessly to bring all our
military members home; and
WHEREAS, On September 23, 2023, Army Sergeant Richard M.
Sharrow was brought home after 73 years in a procession in his
honor in his hometown of Marienville; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Sharrow was laid to rest in Marienville on
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September 25, 2023, with full military honors; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Sharrow proudly and honorably served his
country with the United States Navy from November 1945 to
November 1947 and, after a brief visit home, he then enlisted in
the United States Army on February 28, 1948; and
WHEREAS, During the Korean War, Sergeant Sharrow was assigned
to F Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Calvary Regiment, 1st Calvary
Division, Eighth United States Army, a ground component of the
United Nations Command; and
WHEREAS, In July 1950, during an attempt to block the enemy
near Yongdong, South Korea, Sergeant Sharrow's company
encountered the heavy presence of enemy forces, which resulted
in a large number of casualties; and
WHEREAS, On July 25, 1950, Sergeant Sharrow was reported as
MIA; and
WHEREAS, Thanks to the efforts of the agency, Sergeant
Sharrow's remains were recovered and identified through DNA
testing, providing delayed but welcome closure to the family;
and
WHEREAS, The agency's work is vital to members of the armed
forces and to their families, providing a small comfort of
knowing that no military personnel will ever be left behind or
forgotten; and
WHEREAS, The agency's ongoing work should be celebrated and
encouraged until all POWs and those listed as MIA are accounted
for and back home; and
WHEREAS, Our country and our Commonwealth owe all POW and MIA
servicemen and servicewomen a debt that can never be repaid;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge the United States Department
of Defense, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency to continue its
arduous, noble and honorable work of bringing home all prisoners
of war and those listed as missing in action; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
the United States Department of Defense, Defense POW/MIA
Accounting Agency.
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