Bill Text: VA HJR769 | 2019 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Lonnie Manuel Massey.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-02-18 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ769ER) [HJR769 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2019-HJR769-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Lonnie Manuel Massey of Suffolk, a decorated veteran who served his country on active duty through two wars and in civil service for many years afterward, celebrated his 100th birthday in 2018; and
WHEREAS, born in Delta County, Texas, on November 23, 1918, Lonnie Massey was the oldest son of Mann and Leeola Massey; he learned the value of hard work and responsibility as a youth, working as an automobile repairman and a farmer, among other jobs; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Cooper High School, Lonnie Massey joined the United States Marine Corps in 1938 and specialized in electronics, including the construction and operation of radio transmitters and receivers; and
WHEREAS, during World War II, Lonnie Massey was assigned to I Marine Amphibious Corps, stationed aboard the USS Northampton, where he put his skills in Morse code and radio theory to good use; and
WHEREAS, Lonnie Massey participated in the battles of Guadalcanal, Bougainville Island, Okinawa, Kwajalein Atoll, Saipan, and Guam, and he took part in the top-secret operation to train the famed Navajo code talkers in radio communications; and
WHEREAS, Lonnie Massey continued to serve his country during the Korean War, earning the Bronze Star for his vital work to maintain constant, uninterrupted radio communications between Marine units; and
WHEREAS, after retiring from the United States Marine Corps, Lonnie Massey pursued a second career in civil service as a communications field engineer and traveled to United States Navy transmitter sites around the world; and
WHEREAS, during this time, Lonnie Massey met his late wife, Iris, in Northern Ireland; the couple were married for 47 years and raised one son, Robert, who has relished opportunities to share his father's thrilling stories with his own children; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Lonnie Manuel Massey, a distinguished member of the Greatest Generation; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Lonnie Manuel Massey as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his legacy of contributions to the Commonwealth and the United States.
