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