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2002 SESSION

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020912452
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 160 Offered January 21, 2002 On the death of Charles W. Bland, Sr. ---------- Patrons-- Lambert and Marsh ----------

WHEREAS, Charles W. Bland, Sr., of Richmond, a longtime member of the Richmond Philharmonic and a veteran of service with the famed Tuskegee Airmen, died on September 14, 2001; and

WHEREAS, a native of Richmond and a graduate of Virginia Union University, Charles Bland had embarked on a teaching career when he was called to duty in World War II; and

WHEREAS, the Tuskegee Airmen were the African-American fighter pilots of the 99th Pursuit Squadron, later incorporated into the 332nd Fighter Group, who fought during World War II in the United States Army Air Corps; and

WHEREAS, trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, the Tuskegee Airmen performed unparalleled feats of patriotism and bravery and overcame prejudice and discrimination in the 1940s to make their mark on history; and

WHEREAS, Charles Bland served during the war as a navigator and bombardier with the Tuskegee Airmen, and later educated younger generations about the importance of the famous Army Air Force unit; and

WHEREAS, a retired teacher in the Richmond City public schools, Charles Bland, who had played the violin since the age of 14, joined the Richmond Philharmonic, indulging his love of classical music; and

WHEREAS, Charles Bland served his community and his nation with great distinction, as a teacher, a musician, and a veteran of service to his country; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with sadness the loss of a fine Virginian, Charles W. Bland, Sr.; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Charles W. Bland, Sr., as an expression of the respect in which his memory is held by the members of the General Assembly.