RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, More than 25,000 World War II veterans live in the Chicago Metropolitan Area, thousands of whom have flown with Honor Flight Chicago, a not-for-profit organization which believes that the American veteran is one of our greatest treasures; and
WHEREAS, Honor Flight Chicago offers veterans, especially those who served their country during World War II, the opportunity to fly for a day at no charge to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials and participate in ceremonies aimed at recognizing their brave and valiant service; and
WHEREAS, The sacrifice and service of our military veterans have guaranteed the freedom that each and every American enjoys today; and
WHEREAS, All Honor Flights ceremonially conclude with uplifting and moving celebrations to welcome home our veterans when they land at Midway Airport and are regularly attended by crowds of up to 5,000 people who wish to extend their gratitude to our military veterans who have sacrificed so much to guarantee the freedom that every American enjoys today; and
WHEREAS, Honor Flight Chicago has recently begun taking applications from Korean War and Vietnam War veterans for future flight participation; and
WHEREAS, Honor Flight Chicago is operated under the direction and guidance of Chief Executive Officer Mary Pettinato; and
WHEREAS, A resident of the Lincoln Park community, Mary Pettinato launched Chicago's first Honor Flight on June 11, 2008, with just 60 veterans; and
WHEREAS, Mary Pettinato has proudly watched as Honor Flight Chicago has achieved great success and grown over the years to reach out to thousands of veterans; and
WHEREAS, Honor Flight Chicago has also allowed veterans the opportunity to meet each other, many of whom have benefited greatly from this contact and comradeship; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this seventeenth day of June, 2015, do hereby express our gratitude to Mary Pettinato for her role...
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