WHEREAS, January 17, 2021, marks the 30th anniversary of the beginning of Operation Desert Storm during the Persian Gulf War, and the end of Operation Desert Shield; and

WHEREAS, military personnel from the Nevada National Guard as well as military bases in Nevada played integral parts in the Persian Gulf War; and

WHEREAS, during Operation Desert Shield, a U.S. led coalition of two dozen nations positioned more than 900,000 troops in the region; and

WHEREAS, on January 17, 1991, Operation Desert Shield became Operation Desert Storm - a military operation to expel occupying Iraqi forces from Kuwait; and

WHEREAS, Nevada’s Air Guard were some of the first to fly missions over Iraq providing valuable photo-reconnaissance information to the U.S. forces and allies; and

WHEREAS, 43 days after attacks by the allied coalition began, a cease-fire was declared on February 28, 1991, and 298 U.S. soldiers lost their lives and 467 were wounded; and

WHEREAS, we remember all the brave veterans of the Persian Gulf War from Nevada and thank them for their service, especially those who returned home wounded or with various illnesses; and

WHEREAS, today, we remember the fallen soldiers of the Persian Gulf War who stood for our nation and fought for freedom;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, STEVE SISOLAK, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim January 17, 2021, as

PERSIAN GULF WAR REMEMBRANCE DAY IN NEVADA