HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	202
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

urging the office of veterans' services of the department of defense to include a section dedicated to veterans of the conflicts in iraq and afghanistan in the hawaii state veterans cemetery and allow for photos and other memorial objects of veterans to be placed at gravesites in the Hawaii State veterans cemetery.

     WHEREAS, a military cemetery symbolizes more than simply a final resting place for those who have honorably served the nation and to whom the citizens of the United States (U.S.) shall be eternally grateful; and

     WHEREAS, a military cemetery also serves to remind individuals of the very real tragedy of armed conflicts and stands as a solemn testament and enduring memorial to those individuals, many of whom paid the supreme sacrifice, who upheld the tenets of "Duty, Honor, and Country"; and

      WHEREAS, there is no greater honor for a former soldier than to be laid to rest next to the soldier's comrades-in-arms, no greater act of respect that a grateful country can show a former soldier than to inter the soldier's remains on hallowed ground, and no greater tribute that future generations of freedom-loving Americans can visit upon a former soldier than to remember those sacrifices made by the soldier on the battlefield; and
 
     WHEREAS, providing burial privileges to former soldiers is the very least that a grateful nation and State can do for those persons who placed themselves in harm's way to protect the U.S. from its enemies; and
 
     WHEREAS, the U.S. has found itself involved in numerous armed conflicts throughout its history, including two world 

wars, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War in the 20th Century; and
 
 WHEREAS, more recently, the U.S. has been involved in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan; and

     WHEREAS, as a result of the current conflicts occurring in Iraq and Afghanistan, over 4,000 Americans have already given the greatest sacrifice one can make for their country; and

     WHEREAS, current rules prohibit the placement of pictures and other memorial objects on graves at the Hawaii State Veterans' Cemetery; and

     WHEREAS, allowing the display of photos and other memorial objects of fallen soldiers is a means of families honoring their loved ones; and

     WHEREAS, setting aside a special place in the Hawaii State Veterans' Cemetery for those individuals who are veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan that is similar to Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery would be a fitting tribute to honor the memory of, and the sacrifices made by, former soldiers of these conflicts; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2010, that this body urges the Office of Veterans' Services of the Hawaii State Department of Defense to include a section dedicated to veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan in the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery that is similar to Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Office of Veterans' Services of the Hawaii State Department of Defense is also urged to allow for photos and other memorial objects of fallen soldiers to be displayed at gravesites within the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Adjutant General of the State of Hawaii and Director of the Office of Veterans' Services of the State of Hawaii Department of Defense.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Veterans; Conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan; Veterans Cemetery