May 23, 2023
At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the County of Ottawa, Michigan, held at the Fillmore Street Complex in the Township of Olive, Michigan on the 23rd day of May, 2023 at 6:30 PM local time.
PRESENT: Commissioners: Gretchen Cosby, Douglas Zylstra, Jacob Bonnema, Kyle Terpstra, Allison Miedema, Rebekah Curran, Lucy Ebel, Roger Belknap, Sylvia Rhodea, Joe Moss. ABSENT: Commissioners: Roger Bergman.
It was moved by Commissioner Allison Miedema and supported by Commissioner Sylvia Rhodea that the following Resolution be adopted:
WHEREAS, America is an exceptional nation made up of a beautiful people, who share a history of triumph over adversity; our freedom won through the sacrifice and blood of patriots, and our nation built on the strength of America’s founding documents; and
WHEREAS, the Constitution of the United States and our brave men and women have boldly protected the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for nearly 250 years; and
WHEREAS, we stand in remembrance of those who fought and died to defend and protect us, so that we can all live in freedom, and we are forever indebted to these men and women who demonstrated the greatest love for our country and grieve with their families; and
WHEREAS, we recognize and honor the service, sacrifices, and contributions of veterans and military families for what they have done and what they continue to do every day to support our great nation; and
WHEREAS, we pay tribute to the next generation of Ottawa County citizens who serve in the United States Armed Forces— the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard, and they continue a legacy of unyielding patriotism, and represent the best of America; and
WHEREAS, as Ronald Reagan expressed, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free;” and
WHEREAS, the people of Ottawa County have a deep love for America, and we are a people jealous for liberty, which is essential for protecting our communities and nation; and
WHEREAS, as reminded by John F. Kennedy, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them”;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, we honor the fallen, thank our veterans, and the men and women currently serving in the armed forces for their sacrifice and service to our great nation from the time of America’s birth and into the future, and we are indebted to America’s heroes of freedom; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we join the contagious spirit of those who have dedicated and given their lives for freedom; and
BE IF FURTHER RESOLVED, at this moment of national importance, we commit to the defense of the rights and virtues of our nation and its founding, preserving freedom and hope for future generations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be sent to Michigan Senators Mark Huizenga, Roger Victory, and Rick Outman, Michigan Representatives Nancy DeBoer, Luke Meerman, Brad Slagh, Rachelle Smit, and Greg VanWoerkom, to the Clerk of each county in the State of Michigan, and all Ottawa County department directors.
YEAS: Commissioners: Gretchen Cosby, Jacob Bonnema, Kyle Terpstra, Allison Miedema, Rebekah Curran, Lucy Ebel, Roger Belknap, Sylvia Rhodea, Joe Moss, Douglas Zylstra.
NAYS: Commissioners: None.
ABSTENTIONS: Commissioners: None.