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2016 SESSION

16100901D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 43
Offered January 13, 2016
Prefiled December 22, 2015
Commending Neal King.
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Patron-- Orrock
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WHEREAS, Neal King of Spotsylvania, a decorated veteran of the United States Armed Forces, proudly served in the United States Marine Corps for 30 years and in retirement helped to raise funds to establish the Fredericksburg Area War Memorial; and

WHEREAS, in 1941, Neal King was with a group of young men at a candy store in his hometown of Canisteo, New York, when they learned of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and were inspired to serve their country; they all later fought in World War II; and

WHEREAS, Neal King joined the Marine Corps in 1942; he served in Guam during World War II, led a machine-gun platoon in Korea, was a founding member of the Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance special operations unit, and was a senior enlisted person during the Vietnam conflict, reporting to the commanding general of the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific; and

WHEREAS, preferring to be with ground troops, Neal King was assigned to a unit that fought in the Tet Offensive campaign in Vietnam; he was wounded in May 1968 and received his first Purple Heart—more than a quarter-century after joining the military; and

WHEREAS, Neal King earned 14 battle stars during his military career; after retiring, he worked to establish the Fredericksburg Area War Memorial, setting out collection jars at area businesses and raising $35,000 in coins and small bills; and

WHEREAS, Neal King loved being in the military, modestly claiming that he only did what needed to be done; those who know him speak of his service to his country with high praise and say he exemplifies the best qualities of the men and women of the “Greatest Generation”; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Neal King of Spotsylvania for his service to the United States of America as a member of the United States Marine Corps for 30 years and for his work to establish the Fredericksburg Area War Memorial; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Neal King as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect and gratitude for his service to the people of the Commonwealth and the nation.