resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
WHEREAS, the United States of America has been blessed by generations of men and women who have answered the call to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States, placing themselves in harm's way to defend our Nation, our Constitution, and the freedoms enjoyed by Americans; and
WHEREAS, throughout our Nation's history, American service members have endured extraordinary hardship, including imprisonment, captivity, torture, isolation, and separation from their families while serving their country; and
WHEREAS, thousands of American service members have been prisoners of war or have been listed as missing in action during conflicts throughout our Nation's history; and
WHEREAS, the families of prisoners of war and those missing in action have endured years and, in many cases, generations of uncertainty, sacrifice, and anguish while awaiting answers regarding the fate of their loved ones; and
WHEREAS, the United States Government continues efforts to account for American service members who remain missing from past conflicts and to provide answers to families who have waited decades for the return or identification of their loved ones; and
WHEREAS, the sacrifice of an American service member does not diminish with the passage of time, and those who remain missing must never become forgotten; and
WHEREAS, the POW/MIA flag has become a nationally recognized symbol of our Nation's solemn commitment to remember American service members who were captured or remain missing and to never forget the sacrifices made on behalf of the United States; and
WHEREAS, National POW/MIA Recognition Day provides an opportunity for Americans to pause and remember those who endured captivity and those who never returned home, while also recognizing the families who carried the burden of uncertainty and sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, the County of Genesee is proud of its long tradition of military service and recognizes the many veterans, active-duty service members, military families, and patriotic organizations within our community who have helped preserve and honor the memory of those who served; and
WHEREAS, the Genesee County Board of Commissioners believes that no American who served this Nation should ever be forgotten, regardless of how many years have passed since their service or disappearance;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Genesee County Board of Commissioners hereby recognizes National POW/MIA Recognition Day and honors all American service members who have been prisoners of war or remain missing in action; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners solemnly remembers those who endured captivity and those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the United States of America; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County of Genesee recognizes the extraordinary sacrifices made by the families of POWs and service members missing in action and expresses its gratitude for their enduring strength, patience, and commitment to keeping the memory of their loved ones alive; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Genesee County Board of Commissioners encourages all residents to pause and remember our Nation's POWs and MIAs and to uphold the solemn promise represented by the words: “YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN.”