We stand in support of protecting our nation and State. We recognize that freedom does not come without a price, and many members of the armed forces - our active duty, reservists and National Guard - from this great State have made the ultimate sacrifice. We hereby reaffirm our longtime commitment to our sons and daughters who are serving honorably in the armed forces at this time, those veterans whose service has made this nation and our State an example of democracy for others throughout the world, and their families.

BASES: We recognize that North Carolina plays an essential role in the defense of our nation because our State contains some of the largest and most crucial military bases necessary for protecting our national security. The presence of these bases is a source of great pride and is vital to the economic prosperity of the communities in which they are located. We support efforts to keep North Carolina bases operational for the benefit of our nation and communities.

BENEFITS: We believe it is important to support members of our armed forces during times of conflict, natural disaster and beyond. We support sustaining existing benefits - including educational assistance, health care, housing, small business, burial and other benefits offered to members of the armed forces, veterans and their families. We also support improving combat-related trauma centers, expanding medical and prosthetic research, and implementing sound procedures for expediting the processing of benefits claims.

COLLABORATION AND RESPONSIBILITY: We encourage collaboration between members of the armed forces and first responders in the preparedness and response to any attacks or natural disasters. We also encourage responsible procurement practices within the defense community.

FAMILY SUPPORT: We support efforts to care for families of the armed forces - especially while members are deployed, and to assist them when they return. We support programs such as counseling, financial management, and basic needs assistance that help families of deployed service members in managing difficulties created by longer and more frequent deployments.

FORCE: We support a strong national defense that supplements - but does not replace - diplomacy as a means to advance international peace and economic prosperity. We believe that military force should be used in combat zones only as a last resort. We support the recruitment and retention of highly skilled, motivated and trained members of the armed forces. We support the maintenance and readiness of the necessary force strength to successfully respond to any attacks or natural disasters.

RESOURCES: We support the acquisition of necessary resources - including protective equipment and weapons - for members of the armed forces essential for protecting their safety while performing their duty.

RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES: We support protecting the civil rights of all members of the armed forces. We also support the laws of armed conflict and the humane treatment of all detainees, war criminals and prisoners of war. We affirm efforts to defend our nation and State against terrorism and ensure that national security can and should be undertaken while preserving the civil rights and liberties of North Carolina residents. We support the enforcement of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, ensuring that activated Reservists and National Guard can resume their jobs upon return.

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