Commonwealth of Massachusetts
A Proclamation
His Excellency Governor Deval L. Patrick
Whereas Women have supported military operations in this country since the American Revolution; and
Whereas Deborah Sampson, a daughter of Massachusetts, is considered to be the first American woman soldier. Enlisted as “Robert Shurtiff”, Sampson served in the Continental Army for three years and was wounded twice, but took care of her own injury in order to hide the fact she was a woman. At the end of the war, with her identity discovered, she received an honorable discharge from George Washington; and
Whereas Since 1948 with the Women’s Armed Services Reintegration Act, their service has been truly recognized in all branches of the United States Military; and
Whereas This week we honor and salute those who served our country throughout the generations with honor, patriotism and courage; and
Whereas It is appropriate that all Massachusetts citizens remember the bravery of those women who served their country, so that their dedication and sacrifices serve as a reminder of the cost of our freedom,
Now, Therefore, I, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim November 1st – 7th, 2012, to be
WOMEN VETERANS WEEK
And urge all the citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.
Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this seventeenth day of September, in the year two thousand and twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
By His Excellency
Deval L. Patrick
Governor of the Commonwealth
William Francis Galvin
Secretary of the Commonwealth
God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts