Resolutions Passed at the

2003 National Convention

Uniformed Services Quality of Life

WHEREAS, national security demands a military with technologically superior equipment and highly skilled, motivated, and dedicated men and women, and

WHEREAS, achievement of these goals, especially with respect to personnel, requires pay, allowances, health care, and other benefits that are competitive with the private sector, 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that The Military Order of the World Wars in National Convention, Minneapolis, Minnesota, July 31 - August 5, 2003, urge the President and the Congress of the United States of America to take measures to enhance the quality of life for the military and other uniformed services, including the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Filling Vacancies in the House of Representatives

WHEREAS, an enemy attack or a natural disaster that killed or incapacitated members of the House of Representatives could reduce the house membership below the number required to met the quorum rule, and

WHEREAS, the President of the United States of America has appointed a group, which is part of a bipartisan Continuity of Government Commission, to find answers on how Representatives to the House could be replaced in a more timely manner,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that The Military Order of the World Wars in National Convention, Minneapolis, Minnesota, July 31 - August 5, 2003, strongly supports the President of the United States of America, recognizing the impact of this issue on Homeland and National Security requirements and to strongly urge the Congress of the United States of America to find a rapid resolution to this critical issue.

Immigration Policy

WHEREAS, the security of our nation's borders is of utmost importance and critical to national security, especially in an era where international terrorism poses a major threat, and

WHEREAS, illegal immigration, lax visa oversight, resulting in numerous instances of individuals exceeding their authorized period of stay, inadequate and uncoordinated enforcement of existing laws and regulations, by the various responsible regulatory agencies, contribute to our nation's vulnerability to terrorism, and

WHEREAS, enemies of the United States of America recognize and exploit these failures with deadly consequences,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that The Military Order of the World Wars in National Convention, Minneapolis, Minnesota, July 31 - August 5, 2003, urge the President and the Congress of the United States of America to ensure enforcement of current immigration and border protection laws, as necessary, to safeguard life, liberty and property with the boundaries of the United States of America.

State Defense Force Support For Homeland Security

WHEREAS, since September 11, 2001, the National Guard and the Reserve Forces of the United States of America have been heavily deployed throughout the world, reducing their ability to support their local state governments in the event of a weapons of mass destruction attach, and

WHEREAS, if properly supported and recognized by all states, these volunteer State Defense Forces could help achieve an additional 400,000 personnel dedicated to homeland security at no additional cost to federal or state budgets,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that The Military Order of the World Wars in National Convention, Minneapolis, Minnesota, July 31 - August 5, 2003, urges the Congress of the United States of America to adopt the State Defense Force Improvement Act of 2003, (HR 2796) and to promote State Defense Forces within their state.

Increasing the Force Structure of the Armed Forces

WHEREAS, since the end of the Cold War, the military services have been downsized by one-third of their strength, yet military deployments have been on the upswing, and

WHEREAS, since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, over 200,000 Reservists have been activated for periods of up to six months and longer, and 

WHEREAS, the active military strength is not adequate to meet current worldwide commitments,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that The Military Order of the World Wars in National Convention, Minneapolis, Minnesota, July 31 - August 5, 2003, urges the President and the Congress of the United States of America to increase the strength of the armed forces in both personnel and equipment.

Resolutions of Tribute

Lieutenant Karl Benet Justus
United States Navy, Former
Bethesda, Maryland, Chapter

WHEREAS, it has been the will of Almighty God to remove from amongst us, Chaplain (Lieutenant) Karl Benet Justus, who has been a most valued Companion, ever active in the affairs of The Military Order of the World Wars; one who throughout the past forty plus years has served the Order loyally, generously, and unselfishly, and 

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Karl Justus was an ordained Methodist Clergyman and as such entered the United States Navy Chaplain Corps in 1942, and he served as Chaplain on the combat transport CRESCENT CITY (APA-21) during the closing days of Guadalcanal, with landings at Leyte, Bougainville, and Guan, and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Karl Justus wrote the history of the Order for the decade of the 70s and the 80s while serving as the Order's Chaplain General, and he later became the Order's eighthteen Historian General and served several years as Editor of the Officer Review, and

WHEAREAS, Lieutenant Karl Justus broadcast religious programs on radio and television, he hosted the Ecumenical Memoiral Service at the Order's annual conventions and conducted the convening prayer in the United States Senate and the House of Representatives, and he is listed in the Who's Who in Religion, served as Chapter Chaplain of the Hann-Buswell Memorial Chapter and has General Staff Emeritus status in the Order.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that The Military Order of the World Wars, in National Convention, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, July 31 - August 5 2003, do hereby record this expression of sincere and enduring grief which as been sustained by the Order of which Chaplain (Lieutenant) Karl Benet Justus was so faithful and prominent a member.

Signed and affixed the seal of The Military Order of the World Wars this 4th day of August 2003.

Colonel Fred Sheridan
United States Army, Retired
G/A Omar Bradley, California, Chapter

WHEREAS, it has been the will of Almighty God to remove from amongst us, Colonel Fred Sheridan who has been a most valued Companion, ever active in the affairs of The Military Order of the World Wars, one who throughout the past forty-eight years has served the Order loyally, generously and unselfishly, and

WHEREAS, Colonel Sheridan was elected Vice Commander-in-Chief of the Order at the 1994 Convention, having served the Order in elected and appointed Staff positions and as a member of national committees. Every active as a Companion in the Conejo Valley, California, and other chapters, including the Hann-Buswell Memorial Chapter, and General Staff Emeritus status in the Order, and

WHEREAS, Colonel Sheridan was born in Dresden, Germany, he became a naturalized United States citizen at the age of twenty-two. Colonel Sheridan was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army in 1944 and after thirty-six years of honorable service, he retired with the rank of Colonel. He saw service in World War II, Korea, and through the Vietnam era,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that The Military Order of the World Wars, in National Convention, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, July 31 - August 5 2003, do hereby record this expression of sincere and enduring grief which as been sustained by the Order of which Colonel Fred Sheridan was so faithful and prominent a Companion.

Signed and affixed the seal of the Military Order of the World Wars this 4th day of August 2003.



J. Strom Thurmond
United States Senator, State of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina, Chapter

WHEREAS, it has been the will of Almighty God to remove from amongst us, Senator J. Strom Thurmond, who has been a most valued Companion of The Military Order of the World Wars, and 

WHEREAS, having served his country and state as legislator, statesman, military and government leader in an exemplary fashion for over seventy years, and

WHEREAS, this service included being a farmer, teacher, coach, and World War II hero, awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Croix de Guerra, and, 

WHEREAS, in public life he served as State Senator, and Governor of South Carolina and long-time United States Senator, serving with distinction in the interest of his state and nation, 

WHEREAS, Senator Thurmond was noted for his continuing, sincere interest, in the well-being of his constituents and had established a unique bond of affection with them, and

WHEREAS, he led a life recording strong devotion to patriotic ideas, faith in the almighty, and devotion to his family, setting an example of dedication to duty, and service to others for young people of whom he also had a special interest,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that The Military Order of the World Wars, in National Convention, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, July 31 - August 5 2003, do hereby record this expression of sincere and enduring grief which as been sustained by the Order of which Senator J. Strom Thurmond was so faithful and prominent a Companion.

Signed and affixed the seal of the Military Order of the World Wars this 4th day of August 2003.

Bob Hope
In Remembrance

WHEREAS, The Military Order of the World Wars, moved by love of country and dedicated to its service, recognized in Bob Hope all the qualities of a true patriot, and 

WHEREAS, Bob Hope demonstrated those qualities by unselfishly giving of his time, enormous talent, and personal resources toward the betterment of the morale of members of the United States Armed Forces, wherever stationed, in peace or war, especially those in distant lands during holiday seasons, and

WHEREAS, he was held in affection and in highest esteem,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that The Military Order of the World Wars, in National Convention, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, July 31 - August 5, 2003, to remember Bob Hope with warm affection and appreciation, and to express to Delores, his beloved wife of many years, and to his family, its deepest sympathy.
Signed and affixed the seal of The Military Order of the World Wars this 4th Day of August 2003.