Bill Text: VA HR318 | 2015 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Robert Luther Sales, Sr.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2015-02-27 - Bill text as passed House (HR318ER) [HR318 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2015-HR318-Enrolled.html
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WHEREAS, Robert Luther Sales, Sr., of Madison Heights, a veteran of World War II who took part in the D-Day invasion of France, a timber executive and land developer, a member of many veterans' organizations, a man of faith, and a devoted husband and father, died on February 23, 2015; and WHEREAS, Robert "Bob" Luther Sales, Sr., was a native of Monroe who enlisted in the Virginia National Guard as a teenager; he was a member of Company B, 116th Infantry Regiment from Lynchburg during the Allied invasion of Normandy; and WHEREAS, of the 30 men who were in his landing craft on June 6, 1944, Bob Sales was the only one to survive D-Day; he abandoned his radio equipment in the water to keep from drowning, and when he made it ashore he knew that to survive he had to keep crawling forward; and WHEREAS, Bob Sales, who was promoted to staff sergeant shortly after the D-Day invasion, fought in World War II for another six months until he was gravely wounded in Germany; he received many recognitions for his military service, including three Purple Hearts, the Silver Star, and many other citations; and WHEREAS, after recovering from his war injuries, Bob Sales became a pulp wood dealer and land developer; he owned Sales and White Timber Company, and he also was a charter member of Northminster Presbyterian Church and belonged to the Elks Club; and WHEREAS, on February 11, 2014, during a visit to the United States, Francois Hollande, the President of France, honored Bob Sales as a Knight of the Legion of Honor for helping to liberate France during World War II; and WHEREAS, the Legion of Honor event was held at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington; Bob Sales chartered a limousine to make sure that he and his 20 guests would arrive at the ceremony on time and in style; and WHEREAS, Bob Sales was a life member of several veterans' organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Blinded Veterans Association, the Combat Infantrymen's Association, Inc., and the Military Order of the Purple Heart; and WHEREAS, Bob Sales built a memorial on his property to honor the 113 men from Company B who were killed during World War II; he said that he paid homage to their sacrifice by remembering them as they were in the 1940s—young men in their prime, full of life and laughter; and WHEREAS, Bob Sales will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his wife, Alice; his children, Robert, Jr., and Donna, and their families; and by many other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Robert Luther Sales, Sr., of Madison Heights, a World War II veteran who took part in the D-Day invasion, a timber executive and land developer, a member of many veterans' organizations, a man of faith, and a devoted husband and father; 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 Robert Luther Sales, Sr., as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory. |
