A RESOLUTION

 

1Honoring all Pennsylvania veterans who served during war and
2peace on the occasion of Veterans Day, November 11, 2013.

3WHEREAS, In 1918, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in
4the eleventh month, the world rejoiced and celebrated because,
5after four years of bitter war, an armistice was signed that
6declared the "war to end all wars" over; and

7WHEREAS, November 11 was set aside as Armistice Day in the
8United States to remember the sacrifices men and women made
9during World War I in order to ensure a lasting peace; and

10WHEREAS, On Armistice Day, soldiers who survived the war

1marched in a parade through their hometowns, and politicians,
2public officials and veteran officers gave speeches and held
3ceremonies of thanks for the peace they had won; and

4WHEREAS, The Congress of the United States voted Armistice
5Day a legal holiday in 1938, but Americans realized that the
6previous war would not be the last one; and

7WHEREAS, World War II began the following year, and nations
8great and small again participated in a bloody struggle; and

9WHEREAS, After World War II, Armistice Day continued to be
10observed on November 11; and

11WHEREAS, In 1953, townspeople in Emporia, Kansas, called the
12holiday "Veterans Day" in gratitude to the veterans in their
13town; and

14WHEREAS, Soon after, Congress passed a bill renaming the
15national holiday as Veterans Day; and

16WHEREAS, Americans still give thanks to veterans for their
17service on Veterans Day with ceremonies and speeches, and at 11
18a.m. many Americans observe a moment of silence in remembrance
19of those who fought and for those who gave their lives to
20preserve the freedoms we now enjoy; therefore be it

21RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor all
22Pennsylvania veterans who served during war and peace on the
23occasion of Veterans Day, November 11, 2013, and honor the men
24and women who currently serve in our armed forces at home and
25abroad in America's war on terrorism; and be it further

26RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage
27communities to participate in Veterans Day ceremonies across
28this Commonwealth in recognition of those who have served the
29United States and this Commonwealth in the past and those who
30continue to serve our country in its current time of need.