THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY SOLOBAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2012

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, SEPTEMBER 24, 2012  

A RESOLUTION

Designating September 21, 2012, as "POW/MIA Recognition Day" in

Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, For most Americans, the wars and armed conflicts in

which United States military personnel have engaged evoke

painful memories; and

WHEREAS, For former prisoners of war and the families of

missing personnel, these memories and emotions are particularly

agonizing; and

WHEREAS, In the Korean War and the Vietnam Conflict, hundreds

of thousands of brave Americans left their homes and families to

defend freedom and democracy in the face of communist

aggression; and

WHEREAS, The Persian Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom,

Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn and the Global

War on Terror have created a new generation of POW/MIA heroes

who have sacrificed so much to protect the freedoms enjoyed by

the citizens of the United States and to provide freedom and

democracy for oppressed persons living in countries controlled

by dictators and terrorist regimes; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of American military personnel lost their

lives in battle, and the fate of as many as 85,000 Americans

from past conflicts is still unknown; and

WHEREAS, Many Americans held captive were subjected to

unspeakable horrors but maintained their honor, strong faith in

our nation and indomitable spirit; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 50,000 courageous former prisoners of

war live among us, including those held captive during World War

II, who all still cope with the physical and emotional scars of

their captivity; and

WHEREAS, We owe a profound debt of gratitude to the quiet

heroes who served our nation so well and sacrificed so much, and

to the families of those still missing in action we pledge our

unwavering commitment to achieving the fullest possible

accounting of their loved ones and to seek the recovery,

repatriation and identification of the remains of those who have

lost their lives; and

WHEREAS, The flag of the National League of Families of

American Prisoners of War and Missing in Southeast Asia, a black

and white banner symbolizing America's missing service members

and our unshakable resolve to ascertain their fate, is flown as

a powerful reminder of our duty to honor and account for all

persons who have so faithfully served in all wars and conflicts

in which the United States was engaged; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate designate September 21, 2012, as

"POW/MIA Recognition Day" in Pennsylvania.