Public invited to attend as Shin honors fallen service members

OLYMPIA – Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds, is sponsoring a resolution that pays tribute to Washington service members who have lost their lives in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The resolution will be read Thursday, April 12, at 11:30 am, on the Senate floor. The House of Representatives will be adopting a similar resolution. Senator Shin would like to invite the surviving families of these veterans to attend and honor these courageous men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The Washington State Senate and House of Representatives is greatly saddened by the loss of these honorable service members.

“Defending the United States is an honorable task, and these men and women who died for our nation deserve recognition,” Shin said.

Since 2001, 3,597 U.S. service men and women are estimated to have lost their lives in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, the Philippines and Pakistan; 74 of whom were from Washington. Many troops now serving abroad received combat training at Fort Lewis before deployment overseas.

After Sept. 11, 2001, thousands of servicemen and servicewomen answered the call of duty to protect the United States from further terrorist attacks. The families and friends of those who have fallen continue to suffer their loss.

“No resolution can erase the loss, but it is my hope that it can begin the healing process as the state of Washington expresses its deepest gratitude and respect,” Shin said.

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