ENROLLED SENATE
RESOLUTION NO. 115	By:	Russell, Jolley, Garrison, Adelson, Aldridge, Anderson, Ballenger, Barrington, Bass, Bingman, Branan, Brogdon, Brown, Burrage, Coates, Coffee, Corn, Crain, Crutchfield, Easley, Eason McIntyre, Ellis, Ford, Gumm, Halligan, Ivester, Johnson (Constance), Johnson (Mike), Justice, Lamb, Laster, Leftwich, Lerblance, Marlatt, Mazzei, Myers, Newberry, Nichols, Paddack, Reynolds, Rice, Schulz, Sparks, Stanislawski, Sweeden, Sykes, Wilson and Wyrick

A Resolution recognizing the sacrifices of Virgil Van Dyck; honoring his heroism; and directing distribution.

WHEREAS, Virgil Van Dyck was born August 27, 1912, in Ramona, Oklahoma.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1940 and served in the 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Division; and

WHEREAS, Virgil Van Dyck landed in the assault wave on D-Day in Normandy at Utah Beach, June 6, 1944, as a bazooka man.  He fought in four campaigns across France: Normandy, Northern France, Alsace-Lorraine, and Heurtgen Forest; and

WHEREAS, Virgil Van Dyck was severely wounded at the Battle of Huertgen Forest.  Staff Sergeant Van Dyck was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European Theater Campaign Medal with arrowhead and four campaign stars, the World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and two awards of the Presidential Unit Citation; and

WHEREAS, after retiring from the Army, Virgil worked as an Otology Assistant with the Veteran's Administration, testing the hearing of returning veterans.  He regularly attends reunions of the 22nd Infantry Regiment and in 2009 traveled to Washington, D.C., to visit the World War II Memorial; and

WHEREAS, Virgil Van Dyck’s hobbies include dancing, bicycling, and playing the harmonica.  A resident of Edmond, Oklahoma, at 97 years of age, he is the oldest surviving Oklahoma veteran of the D-Day Normandy invasion.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 52ND OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:

THAT the Oklahoma State Senate recognizes the sacrifices of Virgil Van Dyck and all those who served with him and those who continue to serve in order to protect our freedoms.

THAT the Oklahoma State Senate honors Virgil Van Dyck, an Oklahoma war hero, for his courage, valor, and bravery in defense of our beloved country and declares May 10, 2010, as Virgil Van Dyck Day in Oklahoma.

THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to Virgil Van Dyck.

Adopted by the Senate the 10th day of May, 2010.

	
Presiding Officer of the Senate