A HOUSE RESOLUTION honoring our veterans by expressing appreciation for their service to our state and nation.
Whereas, throughout our country's history, generations of men and women have answered the call to leave their families, their jobs, and put their futures and even their lives on the line to valiantly defend our nation and its inalienable rights; and
Whereas, for many, that sacrifice has ended in permanent injury or death, yet their spirit remains in the continued preservation of our freedoms and the promise of liberty; and
Whereas, the military has a prominent presence in North Carolina serving as the location of five military bases, a military ocean terminal, and a U.S. Coast Guard base: Fort Bragg; Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base; Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station and Naval Air Depot; New River Marine Corps Air Station; Seymour Johnson Air Force Base; Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal; U.S. Coast Guard Base, Elizabeth City; accounting for over 116,000 active‑duty personnel stationed in the State; and
Whereas, over 11,773 North Carolinians serve in the Air and Army National Guard and 11,562 North Carolinians serve in U.S. Army Reserve, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, U.S. Air Force Reserve, and U.S. Navy Reserve; and
Whereas, nearly 775,000 veterans live in North Carolina, ranking the State eighth in the nation for the number of veterans; and
Whereas, as of 2014, North Carolina had a female veteran population of over 84,070 ranking fifth in the nation; a military retiree population of more than 92,500 ranking sixth in the nation; and a rural veteran population of over 137,350 ranking second in the nation; and
Whereas, the State of North Carolina is committed to the veterans in this State and provides various services and resources, which are all accessible on a Web site maintained by the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs in the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs; and
Whereas, the Division of Veterans Affairs is working in partnership with other State agencies to provide veterans a "one‑stop‑shop" experience for services, benefits, or support from federal, State, and nonprofit programs; and
Whereas, the Division of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing the State Service Office, 22 Veterans Service Centers, four State Veterans Homes, and four State Veterans Cemeteries; and
Whereas, the Division of Veterans Affairs also assists, trains, and accredits county veterans service officers in order to create a coordinated network; and
Whereas, the North Carolina Veterans Council, Inc., has for over 25 years represented the interests of all veterans before the North Carolina General Assembly; and
Whereas, the North Carolina Veterans Council, Inc., is composed of representatives of the 11 active veterans organizations, including Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Fleet Reserve Association, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), American Veterans (AMVETS), American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Marine Corps League, Department of American EX‑POW, and the NC ELKS Association, as an ex officio member; and
Whereas, the U.S. Veterans Administration and Department of Defense spent a combined $7.3 billion in North Carolina on veterans, benefits programs, and military retiree pensions during the 2013 fiscal year, including operating 27 VA medical sites throughout the State; and
Whereas, we owe a debt of gratitude to our veterans and wish to express our appreciation to all of our veterans for their selfless service to this State and the United States; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives expresses its profound gratitude and appreciation to all the men and women who served in our nation in the armed services, Reserves, and National Guard.
SECTION 2.  The House of Representatives wishes to honor the memory of all the North Carolinians who gave their lives while serving our nation in the armed services.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.