GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2009

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1869

Sponsors:	Representatives Hurley, Brubaker (Primary Sponsors);  Carney, Dockham, Harrison, and Hughes.
Referred to:	Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.

May 20, 2010

A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the randolph county veterans honor guard.

Whereas, as a result of the United States' decision to abandon its practice of providing military funeral rites for deceased veterans, a group of veterans in Randolph County formed an organization known as the "Randolph County Honor Guard" in 1990; and

Whereas, the Randolph County Honor Guard set out to provide military honors free of charge at the funeral of any honorably discharged veteran buried in Randolph County; and

Whereas, the organization began with 18 members: Robert Cheatham, Frank Davis, Frank Rose, Wayland Ingold, Gary Edwards, Leonard Auman, G. Tom Moore, H.H. Bolton, Arthur Coble, Leroy Diggs, Charles Morton, William Grant, Terry Stutts, Carl Odham, Doug White, George E. Brown, Odell Hayes, and Martin Shaw; and

Whereas, the initial uniforms for the Randolph County Honor Guard consisted of blue coveralls, white gloves, a white web belt, a helmet liner painted white, and 1903 Springfield rifles; and

Whereas, during its first year, the Randolph County Honor Guard performed at less than 10 funerals but were soon sought after to perform throughout the county and surrounding areas; and

Whereas, by 1998, the organization had provided military honors at 100 funerals and had grown in membership to 30 people; and

Whereas, in 2002, the honor guard grew in membership to 40 people and performed at 200 funerals; and

Whereas, today the Randolph County Honor Guard has 83 members and provides military honors to more than 400 veterans annually within a 50-mile radius of Randolph County; and

Whereas, the Randolph County Honor Guard also provides patriotic programs for schools and churches and performs at parades and other community events; and

Whereas, membership in the Randolph County Honor Guard is open to any honorably discharged veteran who is willing to volunteer at least nine hours each month; and

Whereas, the organization recently lost one of its founding members, Frank T. Rose, who was laid to rest on January 26, 2010, with full military honors performed by the Randolph County Honor Guard; Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly expresses its appreciation to the members of the Randolph County Honor Guard for the invaluable service they perform for the State's veterans in Randolph County and the surrounding areas.

SECTION 2.  The General Assembly honors the life and memory of Frank T. Rose for helping to establish and participating in the Randolph County Honor Guard.  He was also very instrumental in getting the Veteran Memorial in Asheboro for Randolph County Veterans and served as the past State Commander of the American Legion.

SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Randolph County Honor Guard and the family of Frank T. Rose.

SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.