In remembrance of September 11, 2001

WHEREAS, the Polk County Board of Commissioners is in support of the United States

Senate regarding the coming together as a Nation, and ceasing all work or other activity for a moment of

remembrance beginning at 1:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time on September 11, 2019, in honor of the 18 th

anniversary of the terrorist attacks committed against the United States on September 11, 2001; and

WHEREAS, four civilian aircraft were hijacked on September 11, 2001, and deliberately

crashed in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C., resulting in the loss of nearly 3,000

innocent lives; and

WHEREAS, countless fire departments, police departments, first responders, government

officials, civilian workers, emergency medical personnel, and volunteers responded immediately, and

heroically to these horrific events, many suffering fatalities in their rescue efforts; and

WHEREAS, the Polk County Board of Commissioners do hereby salute the American citizens

who responded to these tragic events with courage, selfless compassion, determination, and skill, both

on September 11, 2001, and in the intervening seventeen years; and

WHEREAS, more than a decade later, the people of the United States and around the world

continue to mourn the tremendous loss of innocent life on that fateful day, and their lives are forever

changed as a result of this unprecedented threat to the American way of life; and

WHEREAS, on the 18 th anniversary of this tragic day, the citizens of Polk County join the Polk

County Memorial VFW Post #9116 and the Auxiliary, their fellow Americans, and people around the

world, in remembrance of the victims of the attacks on September 11, 2001, and their thoughts are with

the families and those left behind; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Polk County Board of Commissioners

does hereby recognize September 11, 2019, as a day of solemn remembrance of the terrorist attacks on

September 11, 2001, honoring the heroic service, actions and sacrifices of the first responders and

countless others who bravely risked, and many gave their lives during the rescue efforts, and offers its

deepest and most sincere condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims of the

September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Adopted this 23rd day of September 2019.

 

POW/MIA proclamation

In every conflict in which our Nation has been involved, selfless American service members

have sacrificed their lives for the sake of our country and its principles. Too many have

never come home or have endured unthinkable hardship as prisoners of war. During this

month and on this day, we echo the creed inscribed on the black and white banners that fly

in honor of America's Prisoners of War and Missing in Action, and we renew our promise to

our heroes, that "You Are Not Forgotten."

We will never give up the search for those who are held as prisoners of war or have gone

missing under our country's flag. We honor their sacrifice, and we must care for their

families and pursue the fullest possible accounting for all missing members of our Armed

Forces. Together, we must serve our Nation’s patriots as well as they have served us by

supporting them when they come home, and by carrying on the legacy of those who do not.

This is a promise we keep for our fallen, for our veterans past and present, and for all those

whose loved ones have not returned from the battlefield.

On 20 September 2019, the stark black and white banner symbolizing America’s Missing in

Action and Prisoners of War will be flown over the Polk County Court House, in Columbus,

NC, the County Seat, the Polk County Veterans Brick Memorial, United States post offices,

and other locations across our County. We raise this flag as a solemn reminder of our

obligation to always remember the sacrifices made to defend our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Polk County Memorial Veterans of

Foreign Wars; Auxiliary to Post #9116 request that the Board of Commissioners do hereby

proclaim September 2019 as Polk County POW/MIA Month, and 20 September 2019, as

Polk County POW/MIA Recognition Day, and we urge all Polk County citizens to observe

this day of honor and remembrance with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands this 23rd day of September 2019.

 

Military Suicide Awareness Month

WHEREAS, in recent years, military suicides have reached numbers equal to or higher than

that of combat deaths; and

WHEREAS, more female veterans are committing suicide than ever before; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) estimates that a Veteran commit suicide

every seventy-two minutes, that’s 7,300 veteran suicides last year; and

WHEREAS, frequent deployments, stress of combat, and prolonged separation from families

have increased strain on military personnel and their families; and

WHEREAS, military personnel are reluctant to ask for help when they are depressed, leaving

untreated depression as the number one cause of suicide among military personnel; and

WHEREAS, military personnel are encouraged to seek help to restore balance in their lives, as

well as the lives of their families, by engaging in stress relieving activities, maintaining a buddy

system of support so that no soldier stands alone, remembering the importance of self-care by

engaging in activities that improve state of mind, asking for help from a professional, being

aware that help is available through a variety of resources, including the Veterans

Administration and Suicide Prevention hotlines; and

WHEREAS, The Polk County Consolidated Human Services Agency, Veterans Service

Office, and Board of Commissioners, join the Polk County Memorial VFW Post #9116 and the

Auxiliary in urging all active, and former military personnel, and their families, to seek help for

behavior health issues.

NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Polk County Board of Commissioners does hereby declare

September 2019 as “MILITARY SUICIDE AWARENESS MONTH” and commend its

observance to all citizens.