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2012 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 145
Commending Charles J. Colgan, Jr.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, February 9, 2012
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 17, 2012
 

WHEREAS, Charles J. Colgan, Jr., is commended for his efforts to document and preserve the contributions of veterans through the establishment of the Freedom Museum at the Manassas Regional Airport Terminal Building; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of Stonewall Jackson High School, Charles “Chuck” Colgan enlisted in the United States Army as a young man and was stationed at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana, where he studied journalism; and

WHEREAS, in 1969, Chuck Colgan was sent to Vietnam and served as a reporter for the Stars and Stripes newspaper and the Fourth Division newspaper, Ivy; and

WHEREAS, as a combat photographer, Chuck Colgan captured for posterity the faces of American soldiers in action, often putting himself in great peril; and

WHEREAS, decorated for bravery several times, Chuck Colgan earned the Soldier’s Medal, the highest noncombat medal awarded to members of the armed forces, for helping rescue trapped occupants of a disabled aircraft under hazardous conditions; and

WHEREAS, upon his honorable discharge, Chuck Colgan returned to civilian life, marrying, starting his family, and working for the Commonwealth Telephone Company, now known as Verizon; and

WHEREAS, Chuck Colgan continued to support his fellow veterans through his work with the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars and began to put together a small pictorial display of his photographs from Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, Chuck Colgan’s exhibit, which provides a candid look at soldiers during their military service in Vietnam, traveled to different locations and drew viewers from all walks of life; and

WHEREAS, the popularity of Chuck Colgan’s collection resulted in the addition of other photographs and artifacts from local veterans and other wars in the twentieth century, which have now become the Freedom Museum, housed at the Manassas Regional Airport Terminal Building; and

WHEREAS, Chuck Colgan has helped document, preserve, and display the history of American soldiers in combat during the twentieth century for future generations; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Charles J. Colgan, Jr., for his work to establish the Freedom Museum at the Manassas Regional Airport Terminal Building; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Charles J. Colgan, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration and gratitude for his service to his country and his efforts to preserve and share that history with others.