4771S.03F

SENATE SUBSTITUTE

FOR

HOUSE BILL NO. 1128

AN ACT

To amend chapters 9 and 41, RSMo, by adding thereto five new sections relating to military honors.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, AS FOLLOWS:

    Section A. Chapters 9 and 41, RSMo, are amended by adding thereto five new sections, to be known as sections 9.085, 9.086, 41.595, 41.596, and 41.597, to read as follows:

    9.085. In recognition of the courage and unwavering patriotism of those valiant men and women of the armed forces of the United States who served during the Vietnam Conflict, March thirtieth of each year shall be known and designated as "Vietnam Veterans Day" in Missouri. The citizens of the state of Missouri are encouraged to observe the day with appropriate events, activities, and remembrances in honor of the veterans who bravely fought, served, and sacrificed during the Vietnam Conflict and returned home to no parades, ceremonies, or public celebrations to welcome them in gratitude for their courageous service given and sacrifices made on behalf of our nation.

    9.086. In recognition of the courage and unwavering patriotism of those valiant men and women of the armed forces of the United States who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Desert Storm, and all future military operations within the Iraq and Afghanistan regions, March twenty-sixth of each year shall be known and designated as "Veterans of Operation Iraq/Enduring Freedom Day" in Missouri. The citizens of the state of Missouri are encouraged to observe the day with appropriate events, activities, and remembrances in honor of the veterans who bravely fought, served, and sacrificed during the military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and in gratitude for their courageous service given and sacrifices made on behalf of our nation.

    41.595. The adjutant general of Missouri is hereby authorized to present, in the name of the state of Missouri, a Missouri national guard overseas training ribbon, which shall be of suitable design, as may be determined by the governor, to individual members of the Missouri national guard who have participated for training, either with a unit or as an individual, outside of the continental United States border for ten or more cumulative days. The period of eligibility is on or after July 11, 1984, to a future date to be determined by the adjutant general of Missouri. For each additional award, the respective number will be fastened to the ribbon, starting with two.

    41.596. The adjutant general of Missouri is hereby authorized to present, in the name of the state of Missouri, a Missouri national guard state partnership program ribbon, which shall be of suitable design, as may be determined by the governor, to members of the Missouri national guard who have participated on a state partnership program mission, either with a unit or as an individual, to countries to which Missouri has a federally recognized partnership. The area of eligibility encompasses all land area of the country, the contiguous water area out to twelve nautical miles, and all air spaces above the land area and above the contiguous water area out to twelve nautical miles. The period of eligibility is on or after February 13, 1996, to a future date to be determined by the adjutant general of Missouri or the cessation of the state partnership program. Not more than one Missouri state partnership program ribbon shall be awarded or presented under the provisions of this section for succeeding participation in the same country. A bronze star shall be awarded for each additional country.

    41.597. The governor is hereby authorized, upon recommendation of the adjutant general of Missouri, to present, in the name of the state of Missouri, the order of the minuteman award. The order of the minuteman award shall be awarded to those individuals, military or civilian, who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious services and achievements to the state of Missouri or the Missouri national guard and the office of the adjutant general. The order of the minuteman award shall consist of a medal, ribbon, lapel pin, and citation or plaque. The order of the minuteman award is the only state military decoration to be worn around the neck rather than pinned to a uniform. Not more than one order of the minuteman award shall be awarded or presented under the provisions of this section to any one person and no more than five order of the minuteman awards shall be issued in a calendar year. In the event of the death of any person who would be entitled to the order of the minuteman award, the same may be presented to the surviving primary next of kin. The order of the minuteman award, ribbon, lapel pin, certificate, and plaque shall be of such form and design as determined by the adjutant general of the state.