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Introduced Version House Concurrent Resolution 11 History

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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 11


(By Delegates Walker, Barill, Campbell, Craig, Ferro, Fleischauer, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hartman, Hunt, Iaquinta, Ireland, Jones, Lawrence, Longstreth, Manchin, Marcum, Marshall, Moore, Overington, Pasdon, Paxton, Perdue, Perry, Pethtel, Pino, D. Poling, Poore, Reynolds, P. Smith, Stowers, Swartzmiller, Wells, White and Williams)



Requesting the State of West Virginia to annually recognize August 16 as "Airborne Day" in West Virginia.

     Whereas , The members of the airborne forces of the Armed Forces of the United States have a long and honorable history as bold and fierce warriors who, for the national security of the United States and the defense of freedom and peace, project the ground combat power of the United States by air transport to the far reaches of the battle area and to the far corners of the world; and

     Whereas , The experiment of the United States with airborne operations began on June 25, 1940, when the Army Parachute Test Platoon was first authorized by the Department of War, and forty- eight volunteers began training in July 1940; and

     Whereas , August 16 marks the anniversary of the first official Army parachute jump, which took place on August 16, 1940, to test
the innovative concept of inserting United States ground combat forces behind a battle line by means of a parachute; and
     Whereas, The success of the Army Parachute Test Platoon in the days immediately before the entry of the United States into World War II validated the airborne operational concept and led to the creation of a formidable force of airborne formations that included the 11th, 13th, 17th, 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions; and

     Whereas , The achievements of the airborne units during World War II prompted the evolution of those units into a diversified force of parachute and air-assault units that, over the years, have fought in Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf region and Somalia, and have engaged in peacekeeping operations in Lebanon, the Sinai Peninsula, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bosnia and Kosovo; and

      Whereas , Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the members of the United States airborne forces, including members of the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, the 101st Airborne Division, the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) of the 25th Infantry Division, the 75th Ranger Regiment, special operations forces of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force, and other units of the Armed Forces, have demonstrated bravery and honor in combat, stability and training operations in Afghanistan and Iraq; and

     Whereas , The modern-day airborne forces also include other
elite forces composed of airborne trained and qualified special operations warriors, including Army Special Forces, Marine Corps Reconnaissance units, Navy Seals, Air Force combat control and para-rescue teams; and
     Whereas , Of the members and former members of the United States airborne forces, thousands have achieved the distinction of making combat jumps, dozens have earned the Medal of Honor, and hundreds have earned the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, or other decorations and awards for displays of heroism, gallantry, intrepidity and valor; and

     Whereas , The members and former members of the United States airborne forces are all members of a proud and honorable tradition that, together with the special skills and achievements of those members, distinguishes the members as intrepid combat parachutists, air assault forces, special operation forces and, in the past, glider troops; and

     Whereas , Individuals from every State in the United States have served gallantly in the airborne forces, and each state is proud of the contributions of its paratrooper veterans during the many conflicts faced by the United States; and

     Whereas , The history and achievements of the members and former members of the United States airborne forces warrant special expressions of the gratitude of the people of the United States; and

     Whereas , The United States Senate on July 24, 2012 in Senate Resolution 527 designated August 16, 2012 as National Airborne Day; and

     Whereas , The State of West Virginia has been represented by thousands of volunteer soldiers who have served, above and beyond the call of duty, in airborne forces in all branches of the United States military; and

     Whereas , The famed 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army was the first Airborne Division formed to protect and defend the United States of America and is the only Airborne Division to continuously serve in active service since the inception of airborne forces ; and

     Whereas , The West Virginia Airborne Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association represents West Virginia residents who are airborne paratroopers who have served in every military engagement since World War II; therefore, be it

     Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

     That the Legislature hereby requests that the State of West Virginia annually recognize and observe August 16 as "Airborne Day" in West Virginia; and, be it

     Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to Harold A. Schroeder, President of the 82nd Airborne Division Association, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Military
Affairs and Public Safety and the Governor of West Virginia.
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