SENATE MEMORIAL 51

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

Harold Pope

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING FEBRUARY 20, 2023 "MILITARY AND VETERANS DAY" IN THE SENATE.

 

     WHEREAS, the nation was founded on the belief that all Americans live in a free society and are guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; and

     WHEREAS, these freedoms everyone enjoys do not come without a price, and they have been fought for and defended by the nation's military service members who have sacrificed to preserve and protect those freedoms and the country from all enemies, foreign and domestic; and

     WHEREAS, there exists in New Mexico a long and proud history of military service by its residents, dating back to the indigenous peoples who were willing to fight for, and defend, their land from European settlers; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexicans turned back the Confederacy at the battle of Glorieta pass in northern New Mexico in 1862; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexicans were an integral part of Teddy Roosevelt's famed "rough riders", who helped drive off Spain from Cuba and led to victory in the Spanish-American War; and

     WHEREAS, in World War I, fourteen thousand one hundred New Mexicans served; forty-nine thousand five hundred New Mexicans served in World War II; twenty-five thousand New Mexicans served in the Korean conflict; fifty-seven thousand New Mexicans served in the Vietnam conflict; and more than fifty thousand New Mexicans have served since the Gulf War; and

     WHEREAS, with four military installations, twelve thousand seven hundred active-duty personnel, four thousand national guard and reserve members, as well as one hundred forty-one thousand veterans living in the state, military influence remains a strong part of the fabric of New Mexico today;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that recognition be extended to New Mexico's military personnel and veterans by declaring February 20, 2023 "Military and Veterans Day" in the senate; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that New Mexico's current and former military service members be honored and thanked for their service and sacrifice for the country; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary-designate of veterans' services.

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