Travis County Commissioners Court
May 24, 2005
Item 2
Mr. Pope, should I read it?
>> yes, judge.
>> it reads whereas there are in excess of 1 million veterans of all wars in which the united states has participated, who have lost their lives in defense of our country, whereas the -- the Travis County Commissioners court will never forget the ultimate sacrifice made by these brave men and women, in defense of our democratic principles and the security of this great nation; whereas this annual event honors those americans who have given their lives for freedom during times of war as well as the dedicated service members who continue to guard against and combat terrorism around the world, it is particularly relevant given the heightened state of military activity resulting from the terrorist attack on September 11th, 2001 and the war in iraq; whereas we owe a debt of gratitude to the many texans who have died protecting our way of life, to which this event offers an opportunity to remember and honor their sacrifice. Whereas tribute and respect should be extended to those Travis County employees called to duty and their families for sacrifice -- for the sacrifices this are made -- that are made during this time of war. The devotion they have demonstrated in the protection of our nation and whereas it is appreciated that the patriot, unselfish and extreme sacrifice of those veterans should be suitably recognized and commemorated. Now therefore be it resolved by the Travis County Commissioners court that all citizens of Travis County are urged to observe memorial day beginning may 25th through may 31st, 2005, in Travis County with appropriate programs and activities focusing on the achievements of those who have served this great nation and show an appreciation for their service and I move approval.
>> second.
>> mr. Pope?
>> yes. Good morning -- judge, something morning, Commissioners. The department of veterans affairs have recorded and announced that almost 1200 veterans die daily from past wars. World war ii and korean war. Also veterans from the -- that are suffering from their service-connected conditions are passing away at an alarming rate. Last year, I came up and I presented this article from the newspaper, March the 19th, 2004, where 57 veterans had lost their lives in central Texas area and in the Austin area. The second anniversary of the war, that number has doubled to 101 veterans who have lost their lives. This is combined. We are looking at the 157 veterans who have lost their lives in the war.
>> those -- are those Travis County --
>> a total of 101 are basically from the -- the total is from fort hood in the central Texas area. 30 are from Texas itself, fort hood will have other states involved in their organization. Seven is from the -- from the Austin area. And surprisingly enough, five are women. We take it for granted that the women of fighting over in iraq and we just don't think of them as part of the whole corps as itself, but we must realize that there's 1.7 million women veterans in the forces today. Over 130 -- 130,000 women veterans are from Texas. So last year, there were five, this year there are five, additional five women veterans. A total of over 1800 service members have lost their lives and to commemorate that memorial day we have the normal ceremony. On Saturday, the tejanos in action for the Travis County international cemetery will take place. The amistad festival up in Round Rock, georgetown has a program ongoing. The v.f.w. Post 3737 will host their memorial day ceremony at the live oak cemetery. Of course on Monday at the Pflugerville cemetery the cook walden, I will be hosting that as part of the Travis County veterans service office along with the Travis County v.f.w. Council. The -- the guest speaker will be the Texas representative michael mccall, district 10. That's all that I have right now.
>> thank you very much.
>> thank you.
>> so there are a variety of opportunities and you have the names and adds and the -- the types I guess on the various services so if we get some phone calls we will be able to refer them to your office or call you and get specific times.
>> definitely, that will be fine.
>> okay. All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote.
>> thank you.
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Last Modified:
Wednesday, May 25, 2005 7:48 AM