SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2014 SESSION

14105323D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 429
Offered March 3, 2014
Celebrating the life of Lieutenant Colonel Merritt P. Walls, USA (Ret.).
----------
Patrons-- Landes; Senator: Hanger
----------

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Merritt P. Walls, USA (Ret.), of Mount Crawford, a decorated veteran, respected educator, and dedicated public servant, died on February 10, 2014; and

WHEREAS, a native of Huntsville, Alabama, Merritt “Bud” Walls graduated from Van Nuys High School in Van Nuys, California; desiring to be of service to his country, he enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17; and

WHEREAS, throughout 24 years of active duty service with the Army and two years with the National Guard, Bud Walls rose through enlisted and officer ranks to become a lieutenant colonel; he served in Vietnam, where he commanded a howitzer battery; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his valorous service, LTC Walls received many decorations and awards, including two Bronze Stars, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, and three Army Commendation Medals; and

WHEREAS, during his military service, LTC Walls took opportunities to further his education, graduating from the University of Nebraska, the Naval War College, and numerous military courses; he later earned a master’s degree from James Madison University; and

WHEREAS, after retiring from active duty service in 1979, LTC Walls became a senior military instructor at Augusta Military Academy; he then joined Rockingham County Public Schools (RCPS) as a training coordinator at Broadway High School; and

WHEREAS, LTC Walls guided the youth of the community as the career education, job placement, and dropout prevention coordinator for RCPS; throughout his 17-year career in education, he initiated innovative programs that offered new opportunities to local students; and

WHEREAS, LTC Walls ably served his community as a member of the Mount Crawford Town Council for 33 years and the vice mayor for several years; he also represented the town on the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Regional Sewer Authority for 14 years; and

WHEREAS, LTC Walls will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his loving wife of 58 years, Susan; children, Merritt, Jr., Jeanna, John, Clayton, and Katherine, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and fellow service members; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Lieutenant Colonel Merritt P. Walls, USA (Ret.), a proud veteran, devoted educator, and longtime public servant in Rockingham County; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Lieutenant Colonel Merritt P. Walls, USA (Ret.), as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.