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2012 SESSION

12100005D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 211
Offered January 18, 2012
Commending Major Justin Constantine, United States Marine Corps Reserve.
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Patrons-- Surovell and Lopez; Senators: Favola, Petersen and Puller
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WHEREAS, Major Justin Constantine, United States Marine Corps Reserve, has demonstrated extraordinary courage, resolve, and resourcefulness in helping wounded veterans adjust to civilian life while also recovering from injuries he sustained in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of Fairfax High School (’88), James Madison University (’92), and the University of Denver Sturm College of Law (’98), Justin Constantine desired to serve his country and joined the United States Marine Corps during his second year of law school; and

WHEREAS, in 2004 Major Constantine left active duty but continued to serve as a Marine Reservist until he volunteered for deployment to Iraq in 2006; and

WHEREAS, on October 18, 2006, Major Constantine was deployed to Al-Anbar Province, Iraq, as a Team Leader of a group of Marines performing civil affairs work attached to an infantry battalion when he was shot in the back of his head by a sniper while on a routine combat patrol just six weeks into his deployment; and

WHEREAS, a United States Navy Corpsman leapt into action, providing rescue breathing and performing an emergency tracheotomy under enemy fire to help save Major Constantine’s life while his fellow Marines provided cover; and

WHEREAS, after being airlifted to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, and then on to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, Major Constantine underwent many surgeries and a long recuperation period; and

WHEREAS, Major Constantine received significant injuries to his head, jaw, and face necessitating over 20 surgeries over five years and was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, and Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal; and

WHEREAS, upon his return, Major Constantine served in the Department of Justice; on Capitol Hill, as Counsel to the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee on various pieces of legislation; and now for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in its National Security Law Branch; and also continues to serve as the Reserve Staff Judge Advocate for Marine Forces South in Miami, Florida; and

WHEREAS Major Constantine has also focused his volunteer energies on helping wounded warriors as they adapt to life back in the United States while dealing with mental, emotional, and physical changes as a result of their military service; and

WHEREAS, Major Constantine has willingly given of his time to assist organizations and events that serve and recognize veterans and members of the United States Armed Forces, including the Wounded Warrior Project, the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities, Tri-State Troopers, SemperMax, Comfort for America’s Uniformed Services (CAUSE), the Red Cross, the USO, The Mission Continues, and Final Salute, and to efforts to help create training videos for social workers to better understand Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; and

WHEREAS, as a member of the Congressionally mandated Department of Defense Task Force on the Care, Management and Transition of Recovering Wounded, Ill, and Injured Members of the Armed Forces, Major Constantine provides valuable firsthand knowledge and experience with injured veterans’ needs and challenges; and

WHEREAS, in 2008 Major Justin Constantine married his wife Dahlia, a schoolteacher, and together they work to help reduce the stigma of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; and

WHEREAS, a Virginian of remarkable resolve and character, Major Constantine exemplifies the ideals of the United States Marines; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Major Justin Constantine, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for his devoted service to his country and fellow veterans; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Major Justin Constantine, United States Marine Corps Reserve, as an expression of the General Assembly’s profound respect for his sacrifices, immense gratitude for his distinguished service to the nation, and deep admiration for his hard work to help other veterans return to a fulfilling civilian life.