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2010 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 368
Celebrating the life of John M. DeMaria, Sr.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 5, 2010
Agreed to by the Senate, March 10, 2010

 

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel John M. DeMaria, Sr., United States Army (Ret.), of Newport News, a respected citizen and American patriot, died on April 11, 2009; and

WHEREAS, John DeMaria, affectionately called "Big John" by those close to him, was born on April 18, 1924, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, the son of Michele and Bambina DeMaria; he had made his home in Newport News since 1963; and

WHEREAS, during WWII, John DeMaria served in the United States Coast Guard and participated in seven Pacific invasions, including Iwo Jima; and

WHEREAS, John DeMaria was an assault boat crewman/coxswain attached to the USS Callaway (APA-35), a Bayfield class attack transport; and

WHEREAS, after the war, John DeMaria was discharged from the military, and he later joined the United States Army and served in the Dominion Republic and two tours of duty in Vietnam as an Army pilot; and

WHEREAS, during the course of his exemplary military career, John DeMaria served in many diverse capacities, including as a helicopter and fixed wing pilot; as a linguist, speaking Russian, Vietnamese, Italian, Spanish, and German; and as a staff officer involved in intelligence assessments for U.S. Army Europe; and

WHEREAS, John DeMaria proudly served his country for 30 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel; and

WHEREAS, for his honorable service to his country, Lieutenant Colonel DeMaria was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and WWII Victory Medal; and

WHEREAS, John DeMaria will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 58 years, Ruth Melzer DeMaria; his daughters, Denise Jenkins and her husband, Sam, and Mitzi Anne Land and her husband, Jeff; his son, John M. DeMaria, Jr., and his wife, Ellen; his five grandchildren, Laura, Lindsay, John III, Hunter, and Harrison; numerous friends; and his fellow soldiers and guardsmen; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a fine career military officer and outstanding Virginian, John M. DeMaria, Sr.; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of John M. DeMaria, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.