Florida Senate - 2018                            (NP)    SR 1930
       
       
        
       By Senator Gibson
       
       
       
       
       
       6-03364A-18                                           20181930__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution honoring the Florida National Guard and
    3         recognizing February 27, 2018, as “Florida National
    4         Guard Day.”
    5  
    6         WHEREAS, as the military arm of the Governor and the people
    7  of this state, the Florida National Guard stands ready to
    8  immediately respond to a call to duty in times of crisis or
    9  emergency, and
   10         WHEREAS, the Florida National Guard traces its lineage back
   11  453 years to 1565 when the first muster of a civilian militia
   12  took place in Saint Augustine, making Florida’s militia the
   13  oldest in the nation, and
   14         WHEREAS, today’s Florida National Guard stands strong with
   15  approximately 11,500 of the best soldiers and airmen this nation
   16  has ever known, and
   17         WHEREAS, the men and women of the Florida National Guard
   18  and their families willingly make sacrifices during times of
   19  hurricanes, fires, floods, and other natural disasters, serving
   20  domestically and around the world in contingency operations, and
   21         WHEREAS, more than 7,500 Florida National Guard soldiers
   22  and airmen were activated in response to Hurricane Irma and
   23  helped establish more than 350 shelters and distribute more than
   24  6 million liters of water and nearly 5 million meals to
   25  displaced residents during response and recovery operations, and
   26         WHEREAS, more than 20,000 men and women of the Florida
   27  National Guard have answered the call to federal active duty
   28  without reservation in the years following the September 11,
   29  2001, attacks on our nation and served with distinction and
   30  honor during Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi
   31  Freedom, and Operation New Dawn, and they continue to serve in
   32  Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation
   33  Inherent Resolve, and Operation Observant Compass, all of which
   34  have taken these dedicated soldiers and airmen far from their
   35  families and friends while they ensure that we are safe at home,
   36  and
   37         WHEREAS, the employers of Florida National Guard members
   38  make significant sacrifices during Florida National Guard
   39  deployments, ensuring these soldiers and airmen may return to
   40  their jobs upon their return home, and
   41         WHEREAS, the men and women of the Florida National Guard
   42  remain involved in hundreds of community service projects across
   43  the state each day while preparing for their federal duty,
   44  protecting the citizens of this state during emergencies, and
   45  supporting local programs that contribute to the quality of life
   46  we enjoy in this state and the United States, NOW, THEREFORE,
   47  
   48  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   49  
   50         That, in honor of the significant contributions and
   51  consistent readiness of the Florida National Guard and in
   52  grateful acknowledgment of the faithful service of its dedicated
   53  soldiers and airmen, February 27, 2018, is recognized as
   54  “Florida National Guard Day.”