HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2017-4641, by Representative Shea

WHEREAS, Upon entering WWI in April 1917, the U.S. had thousands of Americans answer the call to arms and leave for the green fields and muddy trenches of France, while others served in military facilities throughout the states and in the territories; and

WHEREAS, Out of the 60,617 officers and enlisted men from Washington who served in WWI, 1,642 did not come home alive; some were killed in action, some died from wounds received in action, and others died of influenza and pneumonia that was spreading through Europe; and

WHEREAS, WWI was supposed to be the "war to end all wars"; unfortunately, that was not the case; and

WHEREAS, WWI introduced ordinary Americans to a broader geopolitical view of the world and at the same time the world was introduced to a people who transcended borders to extend the hope of freedom and aid in the release from tyranny; and

WHEREAS, Let us remember the great sacrifices made by Washington's WWI veterans and reflect on the purpose for which they sacrificed; our WWI veterans risked their lives for a reason, they risked their lives for life itself, and may God rest their souls;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the Washingtonians who served in WWI, acknowledge their contribution to our nation, and remember their great sacrifices on the 100th anniversary of the U.S.'s entry into WWI.