A HOUSE RESOLUTION honoring the state's veterans by expressing its 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, our veterans have personally sacrificed so much for the greater good of our nation; some of these brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting our country and the freedoms enjoyed by our citizens and all Americans; and
Whereas, North Carolina is the location of six major Department of Defense (DOD)/Department of Homeland Security (DHS) installations: Coast Guard Station, Elizabeth City; Fort Bragg; Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point; Marine Corps Air Station, New River; Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune; and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base; as well as the North Carolina National Guard and other DOD/DHS activities and organizations; and
Whereas, nearly 770,000 veterans live in North Carolina, ranking the State 9th in the nation for the number of veterans; and
Whereas, of the veterans who live in the State, over 84,070 are female veterans and more than 90,870 are military retirees; 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 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; and
Whereas, the North Carolina 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, North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing the State Service Office, 21 Veterans Service Centers, four State Veterans Homes, and four State Veterans Cemeteries, one of which is currently under construction; and
Whereas, North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs also assists, trains, and accredits county veterans service officers in order to create a coordinated network; 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, the people of North Carolina are grateful and appreciative 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 the United States Armed Forces.
SECTION 2.  The House of Representatives wishes to honor the memory of all the North Carolinians who gave their lives while serving our country in the United States Armed Forces.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.