Resolutions Passed in 1999

Ensuring a Strong National Defense

WHEREAS, the national military strategies prescribed by the Department of Defense require the United States increasingly to respond to worldwide regional and ethnic disputes; and

WHEREAS, the Joint Chiefs of Staff have acknowledged that defense budget reductions and depressed quality of life features threaten the military readiness of the United States and have contributed to low recruitment and retention levels; and

WHEREAS, Defense economists have stated that without larger defense procurement budgets, the United States Armed Forces would be required to further reduce force structure and accept higher military risks;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Military Order of the World Wars, in Convention, Tacoma, WA, 28 July - 1 August 1999, urges Congress to implement the following with regard to current and future defense budgets;

  ---Enact enhanced military quality of life features.

---Increase defense spending as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product to address the concerns of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

---Revise the Quadrennial Defense Review to eliminate the mismatch between resources and increasing peace enforcement missions.

---Modernize our Armed Forces by appropriate funding to reduce military risks and unnecessary risks to American lives.

Military Funeral Honors

WHEREAS, United States Armed Forces service personnel who have faithfully defended all Americans and our national security have been honored in the past by the last rifle volley followed by taps; and

WHEAREAS, the Department of Defense has in the past recognized the importance of paying final tribute on behalf a grateful nation; and

WHEAREAS, recent Department of Defense directives on Military Funeral Support have reduced the military honor guard from a nine-person honor guard to a two-person honor guard for all veterans who have served with honor in our country’s Armed Forces;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Military Order of the World Wars, in Convention, Tacoma, WA, 28 July - 1 August 1999, urges Congress and the President to reinstitute the nine-person honor guard in military uniform when requested by the family of the deceased military person.

Peacekeeping Operations

WHEREAS, United States Armed Forces are being deployed on peacekeeping missions with no defined results sought and no defined end point to the military efforts; and

WHEAREAS, there is a loss of combat readiness by the Armed Forces so deployed and reduced United States deterrent credibility and potential fighting effectiveness;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Military Order of the World Wars, in Convention, Tacoma, WA, 28 July - 1 August 1999, reaffirms its position and urges the President to involve United States Armed Forces in the internal affairs of other countries only when:

---Our national security is involved; and

---The threat and the conditions under which the deployment will be terminated are communicated clearly to the American people

Increased Resources

WHEREAS increased defense resources of an estimated $100 billion over the next five years will be needed to stabilize shrinking force structures, improve deteriorating quality of life features, improve readiness, and modernize equipment and systems;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that The Military Order of the World Wars at its Midwinter General Staff Meeting at Irvine, California, 28-30 January, 1999 urges the President and Congress to affirm their commitments to a strong national defense second to none as the highest national priority by increasing defense budgets beginning immediately to restore the strength and credibility of our Armed Forces.