SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 6
(By Senators Ball, Love, Oliverio, Ross, Prezioso,
Helmick, Buckalew, Fanning, Kimble, Dittmar, Snyder and Wooton)

Requesting the state of West Virginia to annually recognize the sixteenth day of August as "Airborne Day" in West Virginia.

Whereas, The parachute test platoon was authorized by the United States war department on June 25, 1940, to experiment with the potential use of airborne troops; and
Whereas, In July, 1940, forty-eight volunteers began their training; and
Whereas, The first official United States military parachute jump occurred on August 16, 1940; and
Whereas, The success of the parachute test platoon led to the formation of a large and highly successful airborne force serving from World War II to the present in all branches of the United States military; and
Whereas, The famed 82nd airborne division of the United States army was the first airborne division formed to protect and defend the United States of America and is the only airborne division to continuously serve in active service since the inception of airborne forces; and
Whereas, All branches of the United States military have followed in the successful footsteps of the parachute test platoon by forming airborne forces active in the defense of the United States of America; and
Whereas, The sSstate of West Virginia has been represented by thousands of volunteer soldiers who have served, above and beyond the call of duty, in airborne forces in all branches of the United States military; and
Whereas, The West Virginia airborne chapter of the 82nd airborne division association represents West Virginia residents who are airborne paratroopers who have served in every military engagement since World War II; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests that the sSstate of West Virginia annually recognize and observe the sixteenth day of August as "Airborne Day" in West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the secretary of state, the secretary of the West Virginia department of military affairs and public safety and the governor of West Virginia.