HomeMy WebLinkAbout09122022 City Council LAYDOWN - Three Proclamations for American Legion"A Day to Remember"
WHEREAS, the unprovoked attacks of September 11, 2001, upon America by
foreign terrorists have thrust the United States, and other countries, into a war it never
envisioned, militarily or diplomatically; and
WHEREAS, the challenges facing all the civilized people of the world as they relate
to the war on terrorism will not end until those with radical ideas that are contrary to peaceful
ideas of the free world; and
WHEREAS, America is fully committed to ensuring our freedoms remain unfettered
and sovereign for all generations, now and forever; and
WHEREAS, world opinion needs to remain focused upon the elimination of these
inhuman acts perpetrated around the globe; and
WHEREAS, one way to accomplish this to NEVER FORGET that those innocent
victims did not die in vain; and
WHEREAS, America can fight back by reminding the world that the deaths of these
people will always be remembered and that they will be forever loved; and
WHEREAS, service members and first responders from Seward and the state are
honored and supported when they are called to serve and defeat inhuman acts of terrorism;
and
WHEREAS, a noble and appropriate way to accomplish this is through the annual
celebration of their life and their service; and
WHEREAS, this commemoration should be conducted each September I V
throughout the land to include:
• The promotion of global peace and goodwill;
• The demonstration of America's resolve and perseverance to win the war on
terrorism;
• The advancement of responsible citizenship;
• The encouragement of patriotism and love of country; and
• The poignant remembrance of those innocent victims who died September
11, as heroes, one and all;
NOW, TIEREFORE, I, Christy Terry, Mayor of the City of Seward, Alaska, do
hereby issue this proclamation in remembrance of, and with eternal respect for, those whose
lives were suddenly, without cause, and pointlessly taken on September 11, 2001 and further
do memorialize those who served and still serve in the fight against those who would hurt us
and deny our freedoms and our way of life.
Dated this 12' day of September, 2022. THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
Christy Terry, Mayor
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the American Legion was chartered by Congress on September 16, 1919 as a
wartime veterans organization based on four pillars: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation,
National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth; and
WHEREAS, over the years, the American Legion has become a preeminent community
service organization which now numbers more than two million members — men and women —
in nearly 13,000 American Legion posts worldwide working a variety of programs that benefit
our nation's veterans, service members, families, the youth of America, and all its citizens; and
WHEREAS, the Alaska American Legion has grown to be the largest and most active major
veterans organization and advocate for veterans rights in the state of Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the Alaska American Legion's current membership is over 8,000 with 35
chartered posts, including Legionnaires, Auxiliary members, and Sons of the Legion; and
WHEREAS, the American Legion serves Alaska's veterans, and members of the armed
forces and their families through hospital visits, financial assistance, oratorical scholarship
programs, and boys' and girls' state programs, and continues to fight for the rights of veterans
and the military through active legislation at the state and national level; and
WHEREAS, a charter was issued to the originating legionnaires in Seward establishing the
American Legion Seward Post #5 Post on December 31, 1919; and
WHEREAS, the members of American Legion Seward Post #5 are dedicated to upholding the
ideals of freedom and democracy, while working to make a difference in the lives of fellow
Americans; and
WHEREAS, the 2022 observance of American Legion Day provides an opportunity to
recognize Legionnaires in our community for their many contributions to the City of Seward.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Christy Terry, Mayor of the City of Seward, Alaska do hereby
proclaim September 16, 2022, as
THE AMERICAN LEGION DAY
Dated this 12th Day of September, 2022 THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
Christy Terry, Mayor
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, throughout American history, members of America's armed forces have
made uncommon sacrifices as Prisoners of War (POW), serving our country under
conditions of extreme hardship while remaining steadfast, even when their treatment
violated fundamental standards of morality and international codes of conduct; and
WHEREAS, 1,584 Americans are still missing from the Vietnam War, 7,555
unaccounted from the Korean War, 126 from the Cold War, over 72,403 from World War
II, and thousands are recorded as unrecoverable as deep-sea losses; and
WHEREAS, Americans held as POWs and Americans Missing in Action (MIA) have
earned our respect for their courage and devotion to the United States; and
WHEREAS, we honor our POWs who, in the act of serving our Nation, relinquished
their freedom to protect the liberties we enjoy; and
WHEREAS, we also honor those MIAs and should not forget the pain and suffering of
war that continues for the families and friends of those missing; and
WHEREAS, because we must not neglect to honor the men and women who have served
their country so faithfully, the United States Congress established the third Friday in the
month of September as America's Annual National POW/MIA Recognition Day; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Christy Terry, Mayor of the City of Seward, do hereby
proclaim September 16, 2022, as
POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY
and call upon all citizens to join with Americans across the nation in honoring all
present and former American POWs and MIAs and their families, and their families;
and call upon citizens and local officials, historians, educators, and private
organizations to observe this day by flying the POW/MIA Flag (the Flag of Hope),
and by conducting appropriate ceremonies or activities in honor of these heroes.
Dated this 12t" Day of September, 2022 THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
Christy Terry, Mayor