WHEREAS,  World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Cold War called upon thousands of America's youth to join in the fight by land, sea and air to restore freedom and peace throughout the world; and

WHEREAS,  the Destroyer Escort was designed for use in World War II as an anti-submarine vessel to provide a lifeline for Allied forces by protecting convoys from the U-Boat menace in the Atlantic and was used extensively in surface-to-surface combat, shelling shores for invasions and many other assignments; and

WHEREAS,  in recognition of the lives lost in these endeavors, and in commendation of the bravery and valor of the sailors of the Destroyer Escorts, the Destroyer Escort Association will host a special ceremony in Lewiston to honor the sailors of the Destroyer Escorts of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Cold War with special tribute paid to those who lost their lives with their ships; now, therefore, be it