Bill Text: VA HR293 | 2023 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Major General Thomas Tyler Thompson, USA, Ret.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2023-02-13 - Bill text as passed House (HR293ER) [HR293 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2023-HR293-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Major General Thomas Tyler Thompson, USA, Ret., a patriotic veteran and a respected community leader, has served the residents of Hampton, the Commonwealth, and the United States with dedication and distinction; and
WHEREAS, a native of Hampton, Thomas Thompson earned a bachelor's degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where he served as a cadet colonel and regimental commander in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Thompson was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army in 1956; he trained at the Field Artillery School at Fort Sill and earned the coveted Ranger tab after graduating from the Army Ranger School at Fort Benning; and
WHEREAS, in the late 1950s, Thomas Thompson served as an artillery officer and completed a deployment to the Republic of Korea; after completing his active duty military service, he settled in Hampton and joined the Virginia National Guard in 1959; and
WHEREAS, over the course of his military career, Thomas Thompson served as an artillery battery commander, was the assistant superintendent and commandant of the Virginia National Guard Officer Candidate School, and commanded the 329th Regional Support Group and the 176th Engineer Group; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Thompson retired in 1992 from the military as the commanding officer of the 29th Infantry Division (Light), the storied "Blue and Gray Division" that was first constituted in 1917 and consists of National Guard units from the Commonwealth and multiple nearby states; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his distinguished service, Thomas Thompson received three Meritorious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, four Army Reserve Components Achievement Medals, the Virginia Legion of Merit, and the Virginia Bronze Star, among many others; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Thompson spent much of his professional career with the real estate company Harrison and Lear, Inc., and became president of the company in 1980; highly regarded in the profession, he received two Salesman of the Year awards and a Realtor of the Year award, and he served as president of what was then known as the Newport News-Hampton Board of Realtors; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Thompson also volunteered his leadership and expertise to the Hampton School Board for a decade, including five years as chair; and
WHEREAS, for more than three decades, Thomas Thompson has served and supported his fellow veterans as a founding member and president of the Virginia National Guard Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides emergency financial assistance in the form of no-interest loans or grants to Virginia National Guard service members or civilian employees and their families; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Major General Thomas Tyler Thompson, USA, Ret., hereby be commended for his outstanding service to the Commonwealth and the nation; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Major General Thomas Tyler Thompson, USA, Ret., as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his professional achievements and contributions to national defense.
