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2011 SESSION


HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 61
Commending the Monument Terrace "Support Our Troops" rallies.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 28, 2011

 

WHEREAS, since November 30, 2001, supporters of members of the armed forces serving worldwide have gathered every Friday at noon in downtown Lynchburg at the Monument Terrace “Support Our Troops” rallies; and

WHEREAS, wanting to acknowledge the tremendous sacrifices made by members of the armed forces serving across the globe, Steve Bozeman staged the first Monument Terrace “Support Our Troops” rally in response to a rally opposing military action in Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, each week, Monument Terrace “Support Our Troops” rally supporters congregate at Monument Terrace waving flags, carrying military memorabilia, and wearing red, white, and blue; and

WHEREAS, Monument Terrace “Support Our Troops” rallygoers line Church Street in a display of pride and patriotism to honor the faithful and dutiful service of the troops; and

WHEREAS, at the conclusion of each rally, attendees of the Monument Terrace “Support Our Troops” rallies gather around a memorial built from a pair of World War II combat boots and a helmet mounted on a 105 Howitzer shell and Steve Bozeman rings a silver bell engraved with the word “Liberty”; and

WHEREAS, with attendance averaging between 25 and 40 people each week, the Monument Terrace “Support Our Troops” rallies include participants who served as members of the armed forces in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq; and

WHEREAS, acknowledging the dangers faced and the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces, attendees of the Monument Terrace “Support Our Troops” rallies come to honor loved ones who are serving abroad; and

WHEREAS, Steve Bozeman carries a placard with the photos of the Lynchburg–area soldiers who have fallen in the line of duty while serving in Afghanistan and Iraq to each of the Monument Terrace “Support Our Troops” rallies to honor native sons and daughters of Lynchburg; and

WHEREAS, following the 451st Monument Terrace “Support Our Troops” rally, the Military Order of the Purple Heart presented a memorial plaque to Jesse Miller to memorialize his son, Private First Class David Taylor Miller, for “defending freedom and serving his country” when he was killed in Afghanistan while saving three fellow soldiers; and

WHEREAS, the Monument Terrace “Support Our Troops” rallies have gained widespread support in the Lynchburg community; and

WHEREAS, the weekly Monument Terrace “Support Our Troops” rallies serve as a reminder of the commitment and bravery of the members of our armed forces worldwide; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates commend the Monument Terrace “Support Our Troops” rallies for recognizing the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Steve Bozeman, organizer of the Monument Terrace “Support Our Troops” rallies, as an expression of the House of Delegates’ appreciation for this dedicated and patriotic display of thanks to members of the armed forces.