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2022 SESSION

22106067D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 219
Offered February 14, 2022
Celebrating the life of Senior Master Sergeant James Thomas Reynolds, Sr., USAF, Ret.
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Patron-- Simonds
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WHEREAS, Senior Master Sergeant James Thomas Reynolds, Sr., USAF, Ret., an honorable veteran and beloved member of the Newport News community, died on February 2, 2021; and

WHEREAS, James Reynolds grew up in Norfolk and enlisted with the United States Air Force in 1955, beginning an illustrious 27-year career in service to his country; and

WHEREAS, James Reynolds developed his abilities in the areas of administration and intelligence at several institutions, graduating from the Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy at Air University and attending the European Division of the University of Maryland at San Vito dei Normanni Air Station in Italy and Saint Leo University at Fort Eustis; and

WHEREAS, James Reynolds served twice with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on assignments to the Allied Air Command headquarters in France and as the Fourth Allied Tactical Air Force liaison in Italy and fulfilled assignments in England and Colorado Springs, Colorado, among other postings; and

WHEREAS, James Reynolds’ years of distinguished service included special staff assignments with the Military Assistance Command in Saigon, Vietnam; the United States Security Command in San Vito dei Normanni, Italy; and the Royal Saudi Naval Forces in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, which he helped train; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his exemplary service, James Reynolds was presented with several military honors, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star, the Joint Service Commendation Medal with an Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Air Force Commendation Medal, while he was named Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year; and

WHEREAS, James Reynolds concluded his service first with the Ninth Tactical Intelligence Squadron at Langley Air Force Base and later with the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon, retiring as Senior Master Sergeant; and

WHEREAS, guided throughout his life by his faith, James Reynolds enjoyed worship and fellowship with his community at New Beech Grove Baptist Church in Newport News, where he served as chairman of the board of trustees and in various other leadership capacities; and

WHEREAS, James Reynolds’ commitments to his faith led him to serve as a member of the Virginia Baptist State Convention, which he supported as a trustee of the Children’s Home of Virginia Baptist, while he was a member of Baptist laymen’s organizations at the local, state, and national level; and

WHEREAS, James Reynolds’ engagement with his community included a lifetime membership with his local branch of the NAACP, which he served as chair of its Veterans’ Affairs Committee; and

WHEREAS, preceded in death by his sons, Quinton, Marcus, and James, Jr., James Reynolds will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife of 62 years, Ruby; his daughters, Gwen, Sylvia, and Danielle, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; 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 Senior Master Sergeant James Thomas Reynolds, Sr., USAF, Ret., an distinguished veteran whose great integrity and steadfast willingness to help others were an inspiration to all who knew him; 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 Senior Master Sergeant James Thomas Reynolds, Sr., USAF, Ret., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.