A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the memory of past military leaders Richard Caswell, Francis Nash, samson l. faison, and edson d. raff and expressing support for the ARMED SERVICES fighting the war against terrorism.
Whereas, the State of North Carolina takes great pride in the military personnel stationed at Fort Bragg, Pope Air Force Base, Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point Naval Aviation Depot, New River Marine Corps Air Station, Elizabeth City Coast Guard Air Station, the Coast Guard Aircraft Repair and Service Center, and Coast Guard Cape Hatteras; and
Whereas, the State is also proud of the many North Carolinians who are members of the reserve components of the armed services and of the North Carolina National Guard; and
Whereas, as these brave men and women prepare to carry out their missions in the war against terrorism, it is crucial to remember the sacrifices they are undertaking in making our world a safer place; and
Whereas, these courageous men and women exemplify the tradition and spirit of North Carolinians who have so bravely served our State in times gone by; and
Whereas, Richard Caswell (1727‑1789) was a member of the first Continental Congress, a Major General during the Revolutionary War, where he emerged as a hero during the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge, and the first Governor of North Carolina; and
Whereas, Francis Nash (1742‑1777), a close ally of George Washington, was a lawyer, legislator, Clerk of the Superior Court in Hillsborough, North Carolina, and a militia officer who was mortally wounded during the Battle of Germantown; and
Whereas, Samson L. Faison (1860‑1940), a native of Duplin County, was a Brigadier General in the United States Army during World War I; and
Whereas, Edson D. Raff (1907‑2003), a pioneering paratrooper of the United States Army, who passed away on March 11, 2003, led the first airborne combat invasion into North Africa during World War II and, in 1954, had members of the Special Forces unit he commanded at Fort Bragg wear green berets to boost morale, and that symbol came to represent pride and bravery and was adopted by all Special Forces units; and
Whereas, North Carolina and our nation have been blessed with these and many other men and women who have chosen to defend our freedoms with great valor and patriotism; and
Whereas, the General Assembly pledges to continue its support of our troops and their loved ones and encourages the citizens of North Carolina to do the same; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly wishes to honor the memory of Richard Caswell, Francis Nash, Samson L. Faison, Edson D. Raff, and all other North Carolina men and women who have so bravely and ably served their State and their nation with honor and dignity so that we might fully enjoy the freedoms granted by the United States and North Carolina Constitutions.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly wishes to express its support for the brave men and women who will soon embark on the war against terrorism, as well as the families and loved ones they will leave behind.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the commanding officer at each military installation in North Carolina.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.