SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 13

(By Senators Woelfel, Plymale, Baldwin, Ihlenfeld, Lindsay, Stollings, Phillips, and Romano)

[Introduced March 4, 2021]

Urging the Adjutant General to establish an Honor Guard in each National Guard unit to provide military funeral honors to honorably discharged veterans in West Virginia.

Whereas, Per capita, more citizens from West Virginia have served in our nation’s armed forces than from any other state and we are proud of our citizens who, despite danger, have done what they must for peace and freedom; and

Whereas, Providing military funeral honors is one of the last ways to honor those who served; and

Whereas, Military funeral honors are normally provided by the veterans organization of the state, however, because of the limited number of members and the age of the veterans available, there are many communities unable to provide these services; and

Whereas, With the West Virginia National Guard having some 6,000 members, there should be a designated Honor Guard trained and made available to provide military funeral honors when requested by the family or funeral director, assuring that no West Virginia veteran would be denied their proper honors; and

Whereas, It is always important that we honor the many brave West Virginians who have faced the enemy, been wounded, and have given their lives not only for our freedom but for freedom around the world; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Legislature urges the Adjutant General to establish an Honor Guard in each National Guard unit to provide military funeral honors to honorably discharged veterans 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 Honorable Jim Justice, Governor of the State of West Virginia, and to BG William E. Crane.