WHEREAS, since November 30, 2001, members of the Lynchburg community have gathered every Friday at noon for the Monument Terrace "Support Our Troops" rallies in support of members of the United States Armed Forces serving at home and abroad; and

WHEREAS, Steve Bozeman helped Mari White of the WLNI-FM radio station stage the first Monument Terrace "Support Our Troops" event in response to a rally opposing military action in Afghanistan and to acknowledge the tremendous sacrifices made by service members around the globe; and

WHEREAS, each week, Monument Terrace "Support Our Troops" rally supporters congregate at Monument Terrace in downtown Lynchburg, waving flags, carrying military memorabilia, and wearing red, white, and blue; and

WHEREAS, Monument Terrace "Support Our Troops" rally-goers line Church Street in a display of pride and patriotism to honor the faithful and dutiful service of members of all branches of the military; and

WHEREAS, at the conclusion of each rally, attendees of the Monument Terrace "Support Our Troops" rallies gather around a pair of World War II combat boots with a helmet mounted on a 105 millimeter Howitzer shell and rifle, known as a Soldier's Cross; a United States Navy veteran tolls a silver bell engraved with the word "Liberty," referred to as the "Honor Bell"; and a sergeant major calls attention to salute the flag while the national anthem is sung, followed by a closing prayer from a military chaplain; and

WHEREAS, with attendance averaging between 40 and 100 people each week, the Monument Terrace "Support Our Troops" rallies have included participants who served as members of the military in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and, more recently, conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq; and

WHEREAS, many attendees of the Monument Terrace "Support Our Troops" rallies come to honor loved ones who are serving abroad, and all participants acknowledge the dangers faced and the sacrifices made by members of the United States Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, during the Monument Terrace "Support Our Troops" rallies, a sign is displayed with the photos and names of the local soldiers who have died in the line of duty while serving in Afghanistan and Iraq to honor native sons and daughters of Lynchburg and the surrounding counties, and a "Honk if You Support Our Troops" sign is displayed on Church Street for drivers to show their support; and

WHEREAS, during the 19-year history of the Monument Terrace "Support Our Troops" rallies, members of several veterans organizations, including Military Order of Purple Heart, Military Order of World Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, Marine Corps League, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and motorcycle groups have united to offer help to less-fortunate veterans and their families in the Lynchburg area and, as a result, the Lynchburg Area Veterans Council, Inc., was formed as nonprofit organization in 2015; and

WHEREAS, the Monument Terrace "Support Our Troops" rallies have gained widespread support in the Lynchburg community and serve as a reminder of the commitment and bravery of the veterans and active duty service members; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by House of Delegates, That the Monument Terrace "Support Our Troops" rallies hereby be commended for honoring the service and sacrifices of members of the United States Armed Forces; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Steve Bozeman, organizer of the Monument Terrace "Support Our Troops" rallies, as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the success and longevity of this patriotic display of gratitude to members of the United States Armed Forces.