LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION expressing support for the Beyond Tribute initi-
ative

WHEREAS, The United States of America has a volunteer military that is
composed of less than one percent of the population; and
WHEREAS, More than 1.6 million Americans have served in Operation
Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 5,000 soldiers have lost their lives in Iraq and
Afghanistan, 58,000 were killed in Vietnam, 54,000 in Korea, and 400,000
in WWII, as well as numerous others killed and wounded in conflicts and
accidents while in service to their country; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 300,000 veterans currently suffer from PTSD, Traumatic
Brain Injury, and other mental health disorders; and
WHEREAS, The current population of homeless veterans fluctuates
between 500,000-800,000 during the course of a year; and
WHEREAS, The survival rate for the severely wounded has increased, as
has the long-term recovery period for our wounded veterans and their
caregivers; and
WHEREAS, Home caregivers and volunteers providing support to military
service members who have been either wounded in combat operations or as
a result of line-of-duty activities are dependent on not-for-profit
organizations for support; and
WHEREAS, Those service members returning from numerous extended
deployments in combat zones face difficult personal and family issues
which have led to abnormally high rates of divorce and suicide; and
WHEREAS, While physical wounds of war are more detectable, PTSD and
other psychological wounds are as debilitating and dangerous to the
lives of returning veterans and their families; and
WHEREAS, Military men and women and their families serve honorably on
our behalf; and
WHEREAS, The citizens of the United States support and honor our mili-
tary service members and their families; and
WHEREAS, The honor and soul of our country depends on how we treat
those that defend our country; and
WHEREAS, On Memorial Day, we should remember those who made the ulti-
mate sacrifice for our nation; and
WHEREAS, On Veterans Day, we should honor the service of those who
have returned home; and
WHEREAS, The Beyond Tribute initiative aims to enhance the meaning of
and change how we celebrate Memorial Day and Veterans Day; and
WHEREAS, Beyond Tribute is a not-for-profit organization that provides
important assistance to veteran service organizations that provide
vitally needed services for our veterans and military families; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body supports the Beyond Tribute initiative
in its effort to engage the American public in recasting Memorial Day
and Veterans Day as days of service, and to redefine how we celebrate
our national holidays in a manner that truly honors and supports our
service members; and
WHEREAS, It is fitting and proper that we, the benefactors of the
sacrifices and courageous acts of the men and women who served and
continue to serve in the United States Armed Forces, express our appre-
ciation and eternal gratitude for their service to our great nation;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
express support for the Beyond Tribute initiative; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Paul Schneeberger, Executive Director, Beyond Tribute.