This resolution commemorates the victims and honors the heroes of the December 6, 2019, terrorist attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola and designates December 6, 2025, as a day of remembrance.
Rick Scott
Senator
FL
This resolution commemorates the victims and heroes of the December 6, 2019, terrorist attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola. It officially designates December 6, 2025, as a day of remembrance for those killed and injured in the line of duty. The resolution honors the three fallen servicemembers and recognizes the heroic actions of first responders and military personnel. Finally, it condemns the attack and commends subsequent security enhancements at military installations.
Resolution Honors Pensacola Attack Victims, Designates December 6, 2025, as Day of Commemoration
This resolution is purely commemorative, focusing on officially recognizing the December 6, 2019, terrorist attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola. It formally designates December 6, 2025, as a day of remembrance. The bill’s main purpose is to honor the three servicemembers killed in the attack—Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson, Petty Officer Third Class Mohammed Sameh Haitham, and Petty Officer Third Class Cameron Scott Walters—and to acknowledge the heroism of those who responded.
Remembering the Fallen and the Heroes
This resolution goes beyond a simple statement of sorrow by detailing the specific heroism shown that day. It explicitly notes that the three fallen servicemembers were posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal and the Purple Heart. For the rest of us, this is the government making sure that these individuals, who were simply doing their jobs, are not forgotten and that their sacrifice is permanently recorded in the official record.
Acknowledging the Immediate Response
The text also shines a light on the quick and decisive actions of the first responders. It specifically praises the Naval Air Station Pensacola security forces and Escambia County, Florida, law enforcement officers. This isn't just a blanket thank-you; it points out that 8 law enforcement officers received the Medal of Valor and that 17 military personnel received various high honors, including the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, for their actions. It also recognizes two civilians who received the Department of the Navy Superior Civilian Medal for Valor, confirming that bravery wasn't confined to those in uniform.
Commending Security Improvements
Finally, the resolution looks forward, commending the Department of Defense for the efforts undertaken to enhance security at military installations following the attack. While the resolution doesn't detail what those specific security enhancements were—it’s a resolution, not a policy bill—it officially recognizes the importance of preventing such a tragedy from happening again. For anyone living near a military base, or who has a family member serving, this official acknowledgment of improved security efforts is a significant, if symbolic, reassurance.