TO THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION, AND TO THE WASHINGTON STATE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, AND TO THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION:

We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

WHEREAS, Thousands of United States military veterans live and work near and travel through the South Sound region on Interstate 5 (I-5) by the Nisqually River on its northbound and southbound bridges; and

WHEREAS, According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, 593,350 veterans currently reside in Washington State; and

WHEREAS, According to the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, there are 2.4 million veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts nationwide; and

WHEREAS, Veterans from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), Bangor Sub Base, Bremerton Naval Station, and others served honorably in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, some of whom died or were injured during the 14 to 16 years of on-going operations there; and

WHEREAS, The northbound and southbound bridges over the Nisqually River on I-5 are currently unnamed; and

WHEREAS, Signage in the vicinity of the northbound and southbound bridges over the Nisqually River on I-5 would be a visible display of honor and gratitude for active duty, former, and retired veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts and their families; and

WHEREAS, We recognize that these veterans protected our freedom with their duty, honor, and selfless service; and

WHEREAS, This signage would also serve as a reminder to motorists of the sacrifices made by service members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard assigned to various military bases worldwide and in the Evergreen State; and

WHEREAS, This recognition is merely a small way of saying, "Thank you for your service";

NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the Washington State Transportation Commission commence proceedings to name the northbound I-5 bridge over the Nisqually River, the "Afghanistan Veterans Bridge," and the southbound I-5 bridge over the Nisqually River, the "Iraq Veterans Bridge," with permanent signage in the vicinity of the bridges.

BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Secretary of Transportation, the Washington State Transportation Commission, and the Washington State Department of Transportation.

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