IV 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 26 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 veterans, 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 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

That the House of Representatives expresses support for the term Thank you for our freedom as the way to respect members of the Armed Forces and veterans.