Press Release - Tuesday, February 24, 2009
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Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs' salutes African American Veterans
CHICAGO - In conjunction with African American History Month, the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) is honoring Illinois' African American Veterans for their decades of dedicated military service. Governor Pat Quinn also issued a proclamation declaring today as African American Veterans Recognition Day in Illinois.
"Every day we should give thanks to the men and women who bravely stepped forward and answered the call to duty when this nation needed them. During this month and always, we must recognize and pay special tribute to those brave men and women who answered that call even amidst bigotry and injustice from those they sought to protect," said IDVA Director Dan Grant. "Throughout our nation's history, African American Veterans have honorably served to protect and expand the very freedoms we enjoy today. Today, we are proud to salute the accomplishments made by these courageous men and women and we want them to know that their sacrifices and determination will never be forgotten."
The text of the Governor's proclamation follows:
WHEREAS, in the face of great adversity, African American men and women have displayed a history of patriotism by courageously serving in all branches of the United States Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, African American men and women have served and distinguished themselves in times of peace as well as during every major conflict since the birth of our nation; and
WHEREAS, certain African American groups such as: Company E, 4th United States Colored Infantry; the Tuskegee Airmen; the Montford Point Marines; the 555th Airborne Battalion; the 761st Tank Battalion; and the "Golden Thirteen" have become historical icons in American military history; and
WHEREAS, African American men and women continue to bravely serve in all branches of the United States Armed Forces and carry on a great legacy of patriotism; and
WHEREAS, the State of Illinois is proud to salute African-American Veterans on February 24, 2009, to acknowledge the numerous accomplishments made by these brave men and women who have served their country through military service:
THEREFORE, I, Pat Quinn, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby proclaim February 24, 2009 as AFRICAN AMERICAN VETERANS RECOGNITION DAY in Illinois, and encourage all citizens to honor those veterans who have courageously served their country.
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