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2013 SESSION

13104837D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 846
Offered February 7, 2013
Commending Raymond Shelton.
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Patron-- Edmunds
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WHEREAS, Raymond Shelton, a resident of South Boston and a United States Army veteran of World War II, continues, at 98 years of age, to serve his community; and

WHEREAS, Corporal Raymond Shelton is one of the few remaining members of the famed 92nd Infantry Division of the United States Army, also known as the “Buffalo Soldiers Division,” which was formed with African American soldiers from all states in 1917; and

WHEREAS, the honorable military career of Corporal Shelton began in 1942 when he was inducted into the United States Army and assigned to the Headquarters 317th Medical Battalion, 92nd Infantry Division at Fort Huachuca, Arizona; and

WHEREAS, the “Buffalo Soldiers Division” was the last segregated United States Army division and the only African American infantry division to fight in World War II in Europe; and

WHEREAS, Corporal Shelton and his fellow African American soldiers were sent overseas in September 1944 and endured combat operations during the Italian Campaign until the end of the war in Europe; and

WHEREAS, in his duties as a medic, Raymond Shelton assisted many of the 3,200 casualties suffered by the 92nd Infantry Division between August 1944 and May 1945; and

WHEREAS, after Raymond Shelton’s superior officers discovered that he was a musician, he was transferred to the chapel, where he raised morale by playing portable keyboards and organs for his fellow troops; and

WHEREAS, at the conclusion of the war, Raymond Shelton returned to civilian life in New York as an honorably discharged veteran; he managed a successful business for over 30 years, raised his family, and gave back to the nation he so dearly loved; and

WHEREAS, in 1980 Raymond Shelton and his wife, Mabel, retired and returned to her hometown of South Boston; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Shelton, despite his age, continues to give back to the community by playing the piano for two churches and a host of nursing homes; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Raymond Shelton on his distinguished military service as a member of the 92nd Infantry Division and his kind, compassionate community service; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Raymond Shelton as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation for his contributions to the United States, the Commonwealth, and the Town of South Boston.