Blue Star Salute Day

WHEREAS, it is with great pride and boundless admiration that we as Alabamians honor the untold number of men and women of the United States Armed Forces, active and retired, Reserves and National Guard, who have stepped forward in all circumstances throughout American history so that we can live in freedom; and

WHEREAS, the 238th Anniversary of the firing “of the shot heard ‘round the world” on April 19, 2013, commemorates the beginning when America’s first military heroes made the ultimate sacrifice for liberty and began a Revolution believing in the rule of law, the consent of the governed and steadfastly holding to the proposition that all men are created equal; and

WHEREAS, the worldwide conflicts and lonely outposts since that fateful day at Concord Bridge, or when taking the beaches at Normandy, or defending the American shoreline, or enduring the bitter winters of Korea, or trudging through the steamy jungles of Vietnam, or riding the high seas, or taking flight in a plane, or when fighting the War on Terrorism in the sandy deserts of Afghanistan and Iraq, one thing has always been constant – the  military servicemen and women of the United States Armed Forces always perform their duty with Honor, Courage, Bravery and Distinction; and

WHEREAS, the United States Armed Forces can always be counted upon to carry the banner of freedom and democracy, and we must not forget the brave families and loved ones who also sacrifice for our liberty, and who, on occasion, endure the ultimate burden of losing a loved one in the military services of our country; and

WHEREAS, the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park and the South Alabama Veterans Council, along with the founding and participating organizations of the Blue Star Salute Foundation, The American Legion, the Alabama Society, Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, Gold Star Mothers, Gold Star Wives, Disabled American Veterans and many other supporting groups and organizations wish to further recognize our nation’s indebtedness to its veterans and military service personnel; and

WHEREAS, on this Armed Forces Day, May 18, 2013, The Blue Star Salute Foundation in cooperation with the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Commission, the South Alabama Veterans Council and many other supporting and participating groups and organizations, who are committed to fostering and rendering full honor and respect to our nation’s guardians of freedom, veterans of such service and their family members, will proudly host the Ninth Annual Blue Star Salute at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim May 18, 2013, as

Blue Star Salute Day

in the state of Alabama.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 17th day of April 2013.

                        

Robert Bentley, Governor