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2012 SPECIAL SESSION I


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5001
Commending George Robert Hamlet.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, March 27, 2012
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 27, 2012
 

WHEREAS, at a ceremony on March 11, 2012, at the United States Army Reserve Center in Lynchburg, George Robert Hamlet of Gladys was presented with the Purple Heart more than 60 years after being wounded in the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, as a young man, George Hamlet attended Brookneal High School and worked as an industrial tractor operator before joining the United States Army in 1951 as a private; and

WHEREAS, George Hamlet’s service to his country took him around the world; he served in Japan, where he received training as a telephone pole lineman before being sent to Korea as part of the 7th Infantry Division, 17th Regiment combat team; and

WHEREAS, on New Year’s Eve 1951, George Hamlet and another soldier were sent out to repair a telephone line when enemy snipers spotted the two men and began firing; and

WHEREAS, George Hamlet was wounded when a bullet struck him and went completely through his leg; he was treated, but the injury was never officially recorded; and

WHEREAS, George Hamlet completed his tour of service, earning the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman Badge, Occupational Medal, and United Nations Service Medal, and was honorably discharged as a corporal; and

WHEREAS, George Hamlet returned to Virginia, beginning a 35-year career at Limitorque, marrying and raising his family, supporting his fellow veterans as a member of the American Legion, and enjoying fellowship and service as a faithful member and usher for more than 40 years at Thomas Road Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, decades later, a family member found a box with George Hamlet’s service medals and upon asking him about his service, it was discovered that he had also earned a Purple Heart but had never received it; and

WHEREAS, following a period of investigation and research and with the assistance of Congressman Bob Goodlatte, George Hamlet was formally awarded the Purple Heart in a ceremony attended by over 140 people; and

WHEREAS, George Hamlet’s wife of 58 years, Betty; sons, Tony, and his wife, Mattie, Kevin, and his wife, Danielle, and Ricky, and his wife, Erin; and grandchildren, Brad, Jennifer, and Kari took great pride in seeing him finally receive the well-deserved medal; and

WHEREAS, a man of great integrity, George Hamlet serves as an exemplary role model for others, faithfully serving his country and living an honorable life in service to others; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend George Robert Hamlet for his exemplary military service; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to George Robert Hamlet as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect and appreciation for his faithful service to the country.