IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 26 

Expressing support for replacing the term ‘‘Thank you for your service’’ 

with ‘‘Thank you for our freedom’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JANUARY 11, 2023 

Mr. BERGMAN (for himself and Mr. CORREA) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 

provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for replacing the term ‘‘Thank you for 

your service’’ with ‘‘Thank you for our freedom’’. 

Whereas the House of Representatives recognizes the brave 

service of members of the regular and reserve components of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families; 

Whereas the House of Representatives hereby renews its commitment to support and thank these men and women for 

preserving our freedom so that Americans will always remember their crucial role in our history and our aspiration for a world protected under the banner of freedom; 

Whereas, though Americans are proud to show appreciation 

for the service of members of the Armed Forces and vetVerDate Sep 11 2014 23:47 Jan 11, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR26.IH HR26

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•HRES 26 IH 

erans, the real message should be direct and personal: 

‘‘Thank you for our freedom’’; 

Whereas, at the close of World War II, Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Chester Nimitz, selected Roy ‘‘Butch’’ 

Voris to form a Navy flight exhibition team, later to be 

known as the Blue Angels, and, as the First Blue Angel, 

Butch created an image that became symbolic of the 

United States Navy, American patriotism, and American 

freedom; 

Whereas one day, while having lunch with a fellow aviator 

and wearing his ‘‘1st Blue’’ ball cap, someone walked by 

Butch’s table and said, ‘‘Thank you for your service’’; 

Whereas Butch’s friend realized that Butch was surprised so 

he explained that this was a phrase that people said to 

show appreciation for the military, and, without missing 

a beat, Butch announced for all to hear, ‘‘He should 

thank us for his freedom’’; 

Whereas Butch has since passed but his message should live 

on forever, and, in honor of all who currently serve in the 

Armed Forcecs, and our 20,000,000 living veterans, the 

House of Representatives proclaims that the best way to 

show recognition, respect, and honor for those who have 

and continue to put their lives on the line is to declare 

‘‘Thank you for our freedom’’; 

Whereas our Nation has many sacred obligations, including 

preparation of, and support for, the troops sent into 

harm’s way, and to care for them and their families when 

they return home; 

Whereas for far too long, our Nation has fallen short in our 

obligation to our military, and in addition to support and 

care, the Nation is are committed to ensuring that all our 


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•HRES 26 IH 

currently serving members, veterans, and their families, 

caregivers, and survivors, receive the respect they have 

earned, and we declare ‘‘Thank you for our freedom’’ is 

to be embraced; 

Whereas this message will be the banner of freedom to unify 

our Nation; 

Whereas regardless of our personal preferences and leanings, 

the House of Representatives is united in the mission to 

keep our country free, and our ability to disagree is provided by the freedoms protected by these men and 

women; 

Whereas the House of Representatives calls on the President 

to support this message and aid in spreading this message to the citizens of our country; 

Whereas the House of Representatives calls on Members of 

Congress to take this message back to their constituents 

and embrace ‘‘Thank you for our freedom’’; and 

Whereas the House of Representatives call on citizens of the 

United States, here and abroad, to show their support for 

the freedoms that have been provided for them, and 

among the many ways to express their thanks, we invite 

citizens to embrace ‘‘Thank you for our freedom’’ across 

all forms of communication and social media in appreciation to all who serve or have served: Now, therefore, be 

it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives ex2 presses support for the term ‘‘Thank you for our freedom’’ 

3 as the way to respect members of the Armed Forces and 

4 veterans. 

Æ 


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