PROCLAMATION: Medal of Honor Day

WHEREAS, throughout our country's history, courageous men and women of the
Evergreen State have answered the call to protect and defend justice, liberty, and the freedom we
hold so precious; and


WHEREAS, rising above the call of duty at the risk of grave injury and loss of life, a
celebrated few of these fearless service members distinguished themselves as heroes in the eyes
of their comrades through their bravery and self-sacrifice; and


WHEREAS, in 1862, the United States Congress established the Medal of Honor as the
highest award to be given to members of our country's military forces in recognition of their
incredible valor during armed conflict; and


WHEREAS, Washington honors the 91 Medal of Honor recipients on the Washington
State Capitol Medal of Honor Memorial, which was originally dedicated on November 7, 1976;
and


WHEREAS, this monument honors those Washingtonians who have received the Medal
of Honor, the highest distinction that can be awarded to a member of the Armed Forces of the
United States; and


WHEREAS, in 1990, Congress designated March 25 annually as National Medal of
Honor Day;


NOW, 'THEREFORE, I, Jay Inslee, Governor of the state of Washington, do hereby
proclaim March 25, 2021, as


Medal of Honor Day


in Washington, and I encourage all people in our state to remember with honor and celebrate
with respect the brave heroes who have earned this recognition through fearless self-sacrifice in
defense of our country and the ideals on which it was founded.