Pennsylvania SR 328: A Resolution honoring the service and sacrifice of American soldiers and designating the month of June 2026 as "The Month of the American Soldier" in Pennsylvania.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1749
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 328
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY MASTRIANO, PENNYCUICK, ROBINSON, ROTHMAN, YAW,
BROOKS, BROWN, HAYWOOD, KANE, MARTIN, TARTAGLIONE AND VOGEL,
MAY 28, 2026
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, MAY 28, 2026
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the service and sacrifice of American soldiers and
designating the month of June 2026 as "The Month of the
American Soldier" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, The United States Army was established on June 14,
1775, by the Continental Congress, forging the first line of
defense for a new nation founded upon liberty, self-government
and the enduring belief that freedom is worth defending; and
WHEREAS, For more than 250 years, American soldiers have
stood as guardians of democracy and defenders of the United
States, answering the call to serve in moments of peril and
sacrifice on battlefields across the world; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth has long stood at the forefront of
that noble tradition, producing generations of courageous
soldiers whose valor, leadership and devotion to duty have
shaped the course of American history from the Revolutionary War
to the present day; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania soldiers have fought with uncommon
courage in every major conflict in our nation's history, while
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generations of soldiers serving during the Cold War stood
vigilant in defense of freedom during decades of global tension
and uncertainty; and
WHEREAS, Behind every soldier stands a family that likewise
serves and sacrifices, including spouses who endure long
separations, parents who carry the weight of worry and
uncertainty, children who grow up in the absence of deployed
mothers and fathers and Gold Star families who bear the
immeasurable pain of loss in service to the nation; and
WHEREAS, The courage, resilience and patriotism demonstrated
by military families reflect the same spirit of devotion and
sacrifice that defines the men and women who wear the uniform of
the United States Army; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth recognizes and honors every
Pennsylvanian who has answered the call to serve in the United
States Army, including the countless known and unknown heroes
whose courage, sacrifice and devotion to duty have preserved the
freedoms enjoyed by all Americans; and
WHEREAS, While no single list of names can fully capture the
extraordinary service rendered by generations of Pennsylvania
soldiers, the following individuals represent the indomitable
spirit, patriotism, heroism and selfless sacrifice demonstrated
by American soldiers throughout our nation's history:
(1) General Anthony Wayne of Chester County, whose
fearless leadership during the Revolutionary War, including
the daring nighttime assault at the Battle of Stony Point,
helped secure the cause of American independence and whose
later victory at the Battle of Fallen Timbers established
United States authority in the Northwest Territory, earning
him the enduring nickname "Mad Anthony";
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(2) Colonel Benjamin Chambers of Chambersburg, a
Revolutionary War patriot, frontier military leader and
founder of Chambersburg, whose service and leadership helped
defend the Pennsylvania frontier during the struggle for
American independence;
(3) Colonel Strong Vincent of Erie, whose courageous
leadership at Little Round Top during the Battle of
Gettysburg helped secure the Union flank at a pivotal moment
in the Civil War and whose mortal sacrifice became a lasting
symbol of duty, courage and devotion to the nation;
(4) Sergeant James I. Mestrovitch of Pittsburgh, who
posthumously received the Medal of Honor for extraordinary
heroism during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in World War I
after voluntarily rescuing wounded comrades under intense
enemy fire and sacrificing his life during combat in France;
(5) Staff Sergeant Robert E. Laws of Altoona, who
received the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism during
World War II after repeatedly charging heavily fortified
enemy positions in the Philippines despite suffering multiple
wounds in combat;
(6) Master Sergeant Melvin L. Brown of Mahaffey, who
received the Medal of Honor during the Korean War after
courageously leading repeated assaults against enemy
positions and continuing to direct his soldiers despite
sustaining mortal wounds;
(7) Specialist Leslie H. Sabo, Jr., of Western
Pennsylvania, who posthumously received the Medal of Honor
for extraordinary heroism during the Vietnam War after
shielding fellow soldiers from enemy fire, leading repeated
counterattacks and sacrificing his life to save members of
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his platoon during combat in Cambodia;
(8) General Carl E. Vuono of Monongahela, who served
with distinction throughout the Cold War before becoming
Chief of Staff o