Strengthen the Spirit of Virginia
Strengthen the Spirit of Virginia
Strengthen the Spirit of Virginia
Strengthen the Spirit of Virginia
By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:
Women Veterans Week
WHEREAS, throughout Virginia’s and our nation’s history, women have served in and alongside the United States Armed Forces to secure and preserve freedom and liberty for all Americans and our allies; and
WHEREAS, American women have demonstrated great skill, sacrifice, and commitment to defending the principles upon which our nation was founded; and
WHEREAS, more than 35,000 women served in World War I; 350,000 in World War II; more than 1,000 (in theater) in the Korean War; more than 7,500 (in theater) women served throughout the world during the Vietnam War; and another 41,000 (in theater) women were deployed during Operation Desert Storm risking their lives to serve their country; and
WHEREAS, since 2013, American women have served in direct ground combat across infantry, artillery, and other combat roles; and
WHEREAS, other historic firsts include the first female graduates of the Army Ranger School, the first female Marine to lead an infantry platoon, more than 600 Sailors and Marines serving in combat arms, and the first woman to lead a branch of the armed forces; and
WHEREAS, women continue to serve in the United States Armed Forces in times of conflict and peace with great honor and bravery in defense of our nation; and
WHEREAS, women veterans are the fastest-growing segment of Virginia’s veteran population and more than 109,000 women who served in our military call the Commonwealth home, making Virginia among the states with the highest percentage of women veterans; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting to recognize the courage, honor, and dignity with which women have served bravely and continue to serve courageously in defense of our nation and our Commonwealth;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize March 19-25, 2023, as WOMEN VETERANS WEEK in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.
