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2014 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 323
Commending John Appelman.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 21, 2014
Agreed to by the Senate, February 27, 2014

 

WHEREAS, John Appelman, a lifelong resident of Chesterfield County and a second-generation family farmer, will celebrate his 100th birthday on March 4, 2014; and

WHEREAS, John Appelman’s parents immigrated to Chesterfield County from Germany two months before he was born; he was the family’s sixth child; and

WHEREAS, the family, which eventually grew to seven children—four boys and three girls—settled on a farm in Chesterfield County that became their livelihood; they raised livestock, various grains, tobacco, and vegetables; and

WHEREAS, John Appelman attended Elkhardt School and graduated from Manchester High School; a proud American, he served in World War II as a soldier in the United States Army and was wounded; he returned to the battlefield after he recovered and was awarded a Purple Heart; and

WHEREAS, after the war, John Appelman worked on the family farm; his parents had taught their children the values of hard work, responsibility, and respect for others; when his brother died in 1952, he farmed the land on his own for many years; and

WHEREAS, John Appelman went about his work quietly and independently, putting forth great effort without complaint; he raised livestock and coaxed bountiful yields from the land year after year; and

WHEREAS, as he grew older, John Appelman reduced the amount of work he did on the family farm and concentrated on growing vegetables that he gladly shares; friends and family members remark that he raises some of the best vegetables in Chesterfield County; and

WHEREAS, a hallmark of John Appelman’s life is his willingness to help others, never expecting any recognition in return; he is a man of faith and enjoys fellowship and worship at Belmont United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, John Appelman especially has enjoyed being a member of the Young At Heart seniors group of Belmont United Methodist Church; the group has been a great source of support and friendship over the years; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend John Appelman on the occasion of his 100th birthday; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to John Appelman as an expression of the General Assembly’s congratulations and admiration for his years as a farmer in Chesterfield County and for his service and friendship to others.