Sponsored by:
Senator JEFF VAN DREW
District 1 (Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Urges Secretary of United States Army to reinstate Freedom Team Salute Commendation Program.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Concurrent Resolution urging the Secretary of the United States Army to reinstate the Freedom Team Salute Commendation Program.
Whereas, The U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute Commendation Program was created in May of 2005 by the Secretary of the Army and Army Chief of Staff to honor all U.S. Army veterans, and to provide current soldiers with the opportunity to recognize the spouses, parents, employers, and community members who support them; and
Whereas, Since its inception, the Freedom Team Salute Commendation Program has recognized, honored and thanked over 2.3 million spouses, parents, employers, supporters, and veterans, thereby acknowledging their shared sacrifice and also helping to strengthen the essential bond between soldiers and this essential element of their support network; and
Whereas, In addition, the Freedom Team Salute Commendation Program has served as an important vehicle for outreach, as a team of nearly 1,000 Volunteer Ambassadors operating in all 50 states and several foreign countries developed mutually beneficial relationships with various veterans' groups, military support organizations, and the broader civilian community; and
Whereas, Unfortunately, due to the Army's multiple competing missions and demands on resources, the Freedom Team Salute Commendation Program was closed in February of 2010; and
Whereas, In recognition of the program's success and essential mission, especially during times of war, it is fitting and proper that we respectfully urge that the Freedom Team Salute Commendation Program should be reinstated; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):
1. This Legislature respectfully urges the Secretary of the United States Army to reinstate the Freedom Team Salute Commendation Program, so that it continues its important mission to celebrate the essential bond between soldiers, veterans, family, and community; recognize the sacrifices made by all of those who support our soldiers; honor the veterans who have served and remain as our living connection to generations of honor, duty, and patriotism; and build and maintain a strong Army, especially during times of war.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this concurrent resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly, and attested by the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the General Assembly, shall be transmitted to the Secretary of the United States Army.
STATEMENT
This Concurrent Resolution urges the Secretary of the United States Army to reinstate the U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute Commendation Program.
The commendation program was created in May of 2005 by the Secretary of the Army and Army Chief of Staff to honor all U.S. Army veterans, and to provide current soldiers with the opportunity to recognize the spouses, parents, employers, and community members who support them. Unfortunately, due to the Army's multiple competing missions and demands on resources, the Freedom Team Salute Commendation Program was closed as of February of 2010. This resolution respectfully urges that the program be reinstated so that it may continue its important mission to celebrate the essential bond between soldiers, veterans, family, and community; recognize the sacrifices made by all of those who support our soldiers; honor the veterans who have served and remain as our living connection to generations of honor, duty, and patriotism; and build and maintain a strong Army, especially during times of war.