Governor's Proclamation - WWI Centennial / Veterans Day

Proclamation

WHEREAS, the contributions and sacrifices of the men and women who served in the Armed Forces have been vital in maintaining our freedoms and way of life; and 
WHEREAS, a century ago 4.7 million American families sent their sons and daughters off to World War I; and 
WHEREAS, 116,516 Americans died from combat and disease and another 200,000 were wounded during World War I; and 
WHEREAS, the USS OLYMPIA, named for our State's Capital and commissioned in 1895, participated in World War I by escorting Atlantic convoys and is remembered today as a national treasure at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia; and 
WHEREAS, the USS OLYMPIA transported the remains of the unknown soldier from a World War I battlefield in France who is buried at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, and wood from the vessel has been inlaid in pistols carried by guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; 
WHEREAS, in November 2018 the world will commemorate the 1001h anniversary of the Armistice that ended the fighting in World War I at 11:00 a.m., November 11, 1918 -the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month; and 
WHEREAS, our state is home to more than 593,000 veterans, 60,000 active duty military, 19,000 National Guard and Reserves, and their families; and 
WHEREAS, all Washingtonians must strive to ensure that ours remains a land worthy of the great love our veterans have shown for it; 
NOW, THEREFORE, l, Jay Inslee, Governor of the state of Washington, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2018 as Veterans Day and World War I Centennial in Washington, and I urge all people in our state to acknowledge and honor the contributions of our veterans to the principles of democracy, individual freedom and human rights. 

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