A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring NORTH CAROLINA VETERANS DURING OBSERVANCE OF VETERANS DAY AT THE NORTH CAROLINA gENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON RECOGNIZING THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED DURING the korean war.
Whereas, North Carolina is proud to be home to more than 110,000 military personnel and nearly 770,000 veterans of our nation's armed forces; and
Whereas, on behalf of the State of North Carolina, the General Assembly wishes to express its gratitude to all current and retired military personnel for their service to the United States, especially to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and freedoms of all Americans; and
Whereas, the Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea with approximately 90,000 troops, later joined by more than 300,000 communist Chinese troops; and
Whereas, within days, the United States armed forces joined United Nations forces in South Korea; and
Whereas, the United States suffered 54,246 casualties during the Korean War, including over 36,568 killed; and
Whereas, of the Americans who lost their lives, more than 800 were North Carolinians; and
Whereas, over 100,000 Americans were wounded and no fewer than 7,000 Americans were either listed as missing in action or prisoners of war during that period; and
Whereas, as of the year 2000, there were more than 100,000 Korean War veterans living in North Carolina; and
Whereas, the Congressional Medal of Honor was awarded to three Korean War veterans from North Carolina; and
Whereas, the Korean War is often referred to as the "Forgotten War," but it is important to educate the citizens of this State about the contributions and sacrifices the men and women of our armed forces and their families made to uphold the principles of democracy and freedom during that war; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of the members of the armed forces who gave their lives in defense of the safety and liberty of the people of the United States.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly expresses its profound gratitude and appreciation to all of North Carolina's veterans past and present for the service they have rendered to our nation and to our State with particular emphasis on recognizing the men and women who served in the Korean War for their selfless service to the United States.
SECTION 3.  The General Assembly wishes to honor the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Korean War, including Lawrence Ellerbe Hunt, Private First Class of the 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, who was born in Pleasant Garden, North Carolina, to Charles and Frances "Fanny" Hunt in 1925 and was killed in action near Wanju, South Korea, on February 13, 1951.
SECTION 4.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Lawrence Ellerbe Hunt and to the North Carolina Veterans Council, Inc.
SECTION 5.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.